US Bridges

FM over Branch Wolf Creek

Poor

Tama County, Iowa · 086131803 · Structure no. 000000000320200

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
77 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
196
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Branch Wolf Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying FM over Branch Wolf Creek in Tama County, Iowa. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 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 196 vehicles a day, roughly 17% of them trucks, projected to reach 196 by 2044. The structure is 77 ft (23.5 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

CarriesFM
CrossesBranch Wolf Creek
Location086131803
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates42.26023, -92.39931
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
Deck3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Superstructure3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating50.9 US tons
Inventory rating29.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length77 ft (23.5 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic196 (2022)
Projected traffic196 by 2044
Trucks17%
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$990,000 (2024 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over Branch Wolf Creek built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over Branch Wolf 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 Branch Wolf Creek carry?

About 196 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 17% are trucks.

How long is FM over Branch Wolf Creek?

The structure is 77 ft (23.5 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Branch Wolf Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.