US Bridges

FM over West Fork Little Sioux

Poor

Woodbury County, Iowa · 087450302 · Structure no. 000000000352325

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected July 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
214 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
549
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over West Fork Little Sioux is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over West Fork Little Sioux in Woodbury County, Iowa. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 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 549 vehicles a day, roughly 23% of them trucks, projected to reach 549 by 2044. The structure is 214 ft (65.2 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

CarriesFM
CrossesWest Fork Little Sioux
Location087450302
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates42.37495, -96.07759
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJuly 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 geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating23.1 US tons
Inventory rating13.9 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length214 ft (65.2 m)
Longest span82 ft (25 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic549 (2022)
Projected traffic549 by 2044
Trucks23%
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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FM over West Fork Little Sioux built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is FM over West Fork Little Sioux 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 July 2024.

How much traffic does FM over West Fork Little Sioux carry?

About 549 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 23% are trucks.

How long is FM over West Fork Little Sioux?

The structure is 214 ft (65.2 m) long with a longest span of 82 ft (25 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns FM over West Fork Little Sioux?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.