US Bridges

FM over Branch Crooked Creek

PoorPosted for load

Ringgold County, Iowa · 069301401 · Structure no. 000000000297290

Built
1957
68 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
71
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Branch Crooked Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying FM over Branch Crooked Creek in Ringgold County, Iowa. It was built in 1957, so it is 68 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 71 vehicles a day, projected to reach 71 by 2043. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.2 mi (10 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesBranch Crooked Creek
Location069301401
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyRinggold County
StateIowa
Coordinates40.78307, -94.27387
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.
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
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating18.1 US tons
Inventory rating9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width23 ft (6.9 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic71 (2022)
Projected traffic71 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.2 mi (10 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$396,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Branch Crooked Creek built?

It was built in 1957, making it 68 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Branch Crooked 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Branch Crooked Creek carry?

About 71 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is FM over Branch Crooked Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Branch Crooked Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.