US Bridges

FM over West Fork Little Sioux

Poor

Woodbury County, Iowa · 088453305 · Structure no. 000000000353870

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected July 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
204 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
469
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 1963, so it is 62 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 469 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 469 by 2044. The structure is 204 ft (62.2 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

CarriesFM
CrossesWest Fork Little Sioux
Location088453305
RouteCounty Highway 0
StateIowa
Coordinates42.40039, -96.07857
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.
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 evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
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 rating43.2 US tons
Inventory rating29.9 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length204 ft (62.2 m)
Longest span78 ft (23.8 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic469 (2022)
Projected traffic469 by 2044
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 1963, making it 62 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 469 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is FM over West Fork Little Sioux?

The structure is 204 ft (62.2 m) long with a longest span of 78 ft (23.8 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns FM over West Fork Little Sioux?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.