Illinois has 26,927 bridges on public roads, according to the FHWA National Bridge Inventory. Of those, 2,563 are rated in poor condition — a rate of 9.5% — 42% above the national average of 6.7%. Another 12,352 are in fair condition, while 12,012 are in good condition.
Use the interactive Illinois bridge map below to explore every bridge, color-coded by condition. Click any cluster to zoom in, then click an individual bridge for its route, structural ratings, year built, daily traffic, and last inspection date. Filter by condition using the checkboxes, or switch to satellite view to see bridges from above. For a national comparison, see the full US bridges interactive map.
Illinois Bridge Conditions by the Numbers
- 26,927 total bridges on public roads in Illinois
- 2,563 in poor condition (9.5%) — above the national average of 6.7%
- 12,352 in fair condition (45.9%)
- 12,012 in good condition (44.6%)
- Oldest bridge in the inventory: OLD DAD JOE TRAIL, built 1863
Oldest Bridges in Illinois
The oldest bridges in Illinois date back to the 1860s. The ten oldest Illinois bridges still in the national inventory:
| Route / Facility | Crosses | Year Built | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| OLD DAD JOE TRAIL | BUREAU CREEK | 1863 | Poor |
| DELLOS RD | AUX SABLE CR | 1873 | Fair |
| FAU 9187A & MET LI | MISS RIV/RR/MSS6000 | 1874 | Fair |
| MAEYSTOWN RD | MAEYSTOWN CREEK | 1881 | Fair |
| FAS 600 | BAY CREEK | 1885 | Fair |
| E KELTNER ROAD | E FORK PLUM RIVER | 1886 | Poor |
| TR-129 | APPLE CREEK | 1890 | Good |
| TR 270 | BR OF OAT CREEK | 1890 | Poor |
| COYNE ST | TRIB TO KANKAKEE R. | 1890 | Fair |
| S LAKE SHORE DRIVE | JACKSON PK LAGOON IN | 1891 | Fair |
Most Concerning Illinois Bridges: Poor Condition and High Traffic
The bridges of greatest concern combine a poor structural rating with high daily traffic loads. These Illinois bridges carry the most vehicles per day while rated in poor condition:
| Route / Facility | Crosses | Daily Traffic | Year Built | Deck | Superstructure | Substructure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I- 90 94 RYAN ELEV | CANAL TO STEWART STS | 245,500 vehicles/day | 1962 | Fair (5) | Poor (4) | Poor (4) |
| I- 94 BISHOP FORD | RR – IHB & CSXT | 178,600 vehicles/day | 1949 | Fair (5) | Serious (3) | Satisfactory (6) |
| I- 94 BISHOP FORD | GREENWOOD AVE | 152,900 vehicles/day | 1947 | Fair (5) | Serious (3) | Fair (5) |
| I- 94 BISHOP FORD | LITTLE CAL RIVER | 152,900 vehicles/day | 1947 | Satisfactory (6) | Poor (4) | Satisfactory (6) |
| IL 53 NB | KIRCHOFF RD | 123,700 vehicles/day | 1963 | Poor (4) | Poor (4) | Good (7) |
How Illinois Bridge Conditions Are Assessed
Bridge condition in the NBI is determined by ratings of three structural components — deck, superstructure, and substructure — on a scale of 0 (failed) to 9 (excellent). A bridge is classified as good when all three components score 7 or above. It is classified as poor when any component scores 4 or below. Ratings of 5 or 6 on any component with no component below 5 result in a fair classification. IDOT coordinates inspections across Illinois in line with FHWA standards, with most bridges inspected on a 24-month cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bridges in Illinois are in poor condition?
2,563 of Illinois’s 26,927 bridges are currently rated in poor condition by the FHWA National Bridge Inventory, a rate of 9.5%.
What is the oldest bridge in
The oldest bridge recorded in Illinois’s NBI inventory is OLD DAD JOE TRAIL, built in 1863.
What does a poor bridge rating mean?
A poor rating means at least one of a bridge’s three key structural components — deck, superstructure, or substructure — has been rated 4 or below on the NBI 0-9 scale. A rating of 4 is defined as “poor condition,” and ratings of 3, 2, 1, or 0 indicate increasingly serious deterioration. Poor-rated bridges are not necessarily unsafe or closed, but they require priority attention and monitoring.
View all 624,000+ US bridges on the national interactive map
Compare with neighboring states: Indiana bridges map | Iowa bridges map | Kentucky bridges map | Missouri bridges map | Wisconsin bridges map
