US Bridges

FM over Willow Creek

Poor

O'Brien County, Iowa · 094401502 · Structure no. 000000000258850

Built
1964
61 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
44 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
279
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Willow Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over Willow Creek in O'Brien County, Iowa. It was built in 1964, so it is 61 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.

It carries about 279 vehicles a day, roughly 13% of them trucks, projected to reach 279 by 2043. The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesWillow Creek
Location094401502
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyO'Brien County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.9543, -95.56424
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating37.1 US tons
Inventory rating30.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length44 ft (13.4 m)
Longest span43 ft (13.1 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic279 (2022)
Projected traffic279 by 2043
Trucks13%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 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$400,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Willow Creek built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Willow 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Willow Creek carry?

About 279 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 13% are trucks.

How long is FM over Willow Creek?

The structure is 44 ft (13.4 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13.1 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Willow Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.