US Bridges

FM over W Fork Grand River

PoorPosted for load

Ringgold County, Iowa · 067311501 · Structure no. 000000000295580

Built
1956
69 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
254 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
219
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over W Fork Grand River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over W Fork Grand River in Ringgold County, Iowa. It was built in 1956, so it is 69 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 3 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 219 vehicles a day, roughly 21% of them trucks, projected to reach 219 by 2043. The structure is 254 ft (77.4 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

CarriesFM
CrossesW Fork Grand River
Location067311501
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates40.61055, -94.41096
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
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 rating32.4 US tons
Inventory rating19 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length254 ft (77.4 m)
Longest span98 ft (29.9 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.6 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic219 (2022)
Projected traffic219 by 2043
Trucks21%
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$3 million (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over W Fork Grand River built?

It was built in 1956, making it 69 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over W Fork Grand River 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does FM over W Fork Grand River carry?

About 219 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 21% are trucks.

How long is FM over W Fork Grand River?

The structure is 254 ft (77.4 m) long with a longest span of 98 ft (29.9 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns FM over W Fork Grand River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.