US Bridges

FM over Prairie Creek

Fair

Palo Alto County, Iowa · 095311401 · Structure no. 000000000269130

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
58 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
60
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Prairie Creek is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over Prairie Creek in Palo Alto County, Iowa. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 years old, older than the Iowa average of 45.5 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 60 vehicles a day, projected to reach 60 by 2044. The structure is 58 ft (17.7 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
CrossesPrairie Creek
Location095311401
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyPalo Alto County
StateIowa
Coordinates43.05276, -94.47436
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating60.7 US tons
Inventory rating28.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length58 ft (17.7 m)
Longest span55 ft (16.8 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic60 (2022)
Projected traffic60 by 2044
Trucks0%
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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Prairie Creek built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Prairie Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in May 2024.

How much traffic does FM over Prairie Creek carry?

About 60 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is FM over Prairie Creek?

The structure is 58 ft (17.7 m) long with a longest span of 55 ft (16.8 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Prairie Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.