US Bridges

CH-9 over Bear Creek

Fair

Clay County, Illinois · 3.5 MI E Xenia · Structure no. 013314800000000

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
24 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
175
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CH-9 over Bear Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying CH-9 over Bear Creek in Clay County, Illinois. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 years old, older than the Illinois average of 45.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 175 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 177 by 2046. The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCH-9
CrossesBear Creek
Location3.5 MI E Xenia
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyClay County
StateIllinois
Coordinates38.63698, -88.56861
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
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 adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating35.7 US tons
Inventory rating16.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length24 ft (7.3 m)
Longest span22 ft (6.7 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic175 (2021)
Projected traffic177 by 2046
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CH-9 over Bear Creek built?

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

What condition is CH-9 over Bear Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in January 2024.

How much traffic does CH-9 over Bear Creek carry?

About 175 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is CH-9 over Bear Creek?

The structure is 24 ft (7.3 m) long with a longest span of 22 ft (6.7 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns CH-9 over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.