US Bridges

FM over Garretson Ditch

Poor

Woodbury County, Iowa · 087460501 · Structure no. 000000000352510

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected July 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
169 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
71
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

FM over Garretson Ditch is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying FM over Garretson Ditch 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 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.

It carries about 71 vehicles a day, projected to reach 71 by 2044. The structure is 169 ft (51.5 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFM
CrossesGarretson Ditch
Location087460501
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyWoodbury County
StateIowa
Coordinates42.38751, -96.23066
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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating28.9 US tons
Inventory rating17.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length169 ft (51.5 m)
Longest span80 ft (24.4 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.7 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic71 (2022)
Projected traffic71 by 2044
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 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 Garretson Ditch built?

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

What condition is FM over Garretson Ditch 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 Garretson Ditch carry?

About 71 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is FM over Garretson Ditch?

The structure is 169 ft (51.5 m) long with a longest span of 80 ft (24.4 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns FM over Garretson Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.