US Bridges

FM over Deer Creek

PoorPosted for load

Tama County, Iowa · 085162902 · Structure no. 000000000320090

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
31 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
39
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Deer Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying FM over Deer Creek in Tama County, Iowa. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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 39 vehicles a day, projected to reach 39 by 2043. The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesDeer Creek
Location085162902
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyTama County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.14974, -92.7475
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 12 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating38.4 US tons
Inventory rating23 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 15
Structure length31 ft (9.4 m)
Longest span30 ft (9.1 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic39 (2022)
Projected traffic39 by 2043
Trucks0%
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$743,000 (2023 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Deer Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Deer 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 2023.

How much traffic does FM over Deer Creek carry?

About 39 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is FM over Deer Creek?

The structure is 31 ft (9.4 m) long with a longest span of 30 ft (9.1 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Deer Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.