US Bridges

FM over Small

Poor

Tama County, Iowa · 084151902 · Structure no. 000000000318972

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Culvert
Wood or Timber
Length
23 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
20
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Small is a wood or timber culvert carrying FM over Small in Tama County, Iowa. It was built in 1963, so it is 62 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.

It carries about 20 vehicles a day, projected to reach 20 by 2044. The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

CarriesFM
CrossesSmall
Location084151902
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates42.072, -92.64962
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
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Culvert3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating30.6 US tons
Inventory rating23.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckNot applicable
Main spans4
Design loadUnknown
Structure length23 ft (7 m)
Longest span5 ft (1.5 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20 (2022)
Projected traffic20 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 Small built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Small 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 Small carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is FM over Small?

The structure is 23 ft (7 m) long with a longest span of 5 ft (1.5 m).

Who owns FM over Small?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.