US Bridges

FM over Branch Iowa River

PoorPosted for load

Tama County, Iowa · 084160302 · Structure no. 000000000319170

Built
1969
56 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
33 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
579
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Branch Iowa River is a concrete slab carrying FM over Branch Iowa River in Tama County, Iowa. It was built in 1969, so it is 56 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 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. Its operating status is: posted for other load-capacity restriction.

It carries about 579 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 579 by 2044. The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

CarriesFM
CrossesBranch Iowa River
Location084160302
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates42.11426, -92.7082
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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for other load-capacity 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 rating16.8 US tons
Inventory rating0 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 10
Structure length33 ft (10.1 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic579 (2022)
Projected traffic579 by 2044
Trucks8%
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 Branch Iowa River built?

It was built in 1969, making it 56 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Branch Iowa 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does FM over Branch Iowa River carry?

About 579 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is FM over Branch Iowa River?

The structure is 33 ft (10.1 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Branch Iowa River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.