US Bridges

FM over Big Cedar Creek

Fair

Pocahontas County, Iowa · 090342704 · Structure no. 000000000278340

Built
1964
61 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
152 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
649
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Big Cedar Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over Big Cedar Creek in Pocahontas 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 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 649 vehicles a day, roughly 25% of them trucks, projected to reach 649 by 2043. The structure is 152 ft (46.3 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesBig Cedar Creek
Location090342704
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyPocahontas County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.57727, -94.85536
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating39.4 US tons
Inventory rating21.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length152 ft (46.3 m)
Longest span59 ft (18 m)
Deck width26 ft (8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic649 (2022)
Projected traffic649 by 2043
Trucks25%
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$1.8 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Big Cedar Creek built?

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

What condition is FM over Big Cedar 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Big Cedar Creek carry?

About 649 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 25% are trucks.

How long is FM over Big Cedar Creek?

The structure is 152 ft (46.3 m) long with a longest span of 59 ft (18 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Big Cedar Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.