US Bridges

FM over Mud Creek

PoorPosted for load

Muscatine County, Iowa · 078010302 · Structure no. 000000000257960

Built
1939
86 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
120 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
50
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Mud Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over Mud Creek in Muscatine County, Iowa. It was built in 1939, so it is 86 years old, older than the Iowa average of 45.5 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 50 vehicles a day, projected to reach 50 by 2043. The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

CarriesFM
CrossesMud Creek
Location078010302
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates41.59213, -90.95812
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating27.4 US tons
Inventory rating18.4 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadUnknown
Structure length120 ft (36.6 m)
Longest span47 ft (14.3 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.5 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic50 (2022)
Projected traffic50 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$1.4 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Mud Creek built?

It was built in 1939, making it 86 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Mud Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in September 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Mud Creek carry?

About 50 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is FM over Mud Creek?

The structure is 120 ft (36.6 m) long with a longest span of 47 ft (14.3 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Mud Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.