US Bridges

FM over So Branch Salt Creek

Poor

Tama County, Iowa · 084151203 · Structure no. 000000000318952

Built
1996
29 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
41 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
344
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over So Branch Salt Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over So Branch Salt Creek in Tama County, Iowa. It was built in 1996, so it is 29 years old, younger 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 344 vehicles a day, roughly 16% of them trucks, projected to reach 344 by 2044. The structure is 41 ft (12.5 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 18 mi (29 km).

CarriesFM
CrossesSo Branch Salt Creek
Location084151203
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates42.10114, -92.54423
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating99.8 US tons
Inventory rating66.8 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length41 ft (12.5 m)
Longest span38 ft (11.6 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.3 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic344 (2022)
Projected traffic344 by 2044
Trucks16%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed18 mi (29 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 proposedOther structural work, including hydraulic replacements
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over So Branch Salt Creek built?

It was built in 1996, making it 29 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over So Branch Salt 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does FM over So Branch Salt Creek carry?

About 344 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 16% are trucks.

How long is FM over So Branch Salt Creek?

The structure is 41 ft (12.5 m) long with a longest span of 38 ft (11.6 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns FM over So Branch Salt Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.