US Bridges

Touhy Ave over N Br Chicago River

Poor

Cook County, Illinois · 0.6 M E Il 43 · Structure no. 016036300000000

Built
1925
100 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected August 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
67 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
24,400
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Touhy Ave over N Br Chicago River is a concrete tee beam carrying Touhy Ave over N Br Chicago River in Cook County, Illinois. It was built in 1925, so it is 100 years old, older than the Illinois average of 45.3 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 24,400 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 25,856 by 2046. The structure is 67 ft (20.3 m) long and 52 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesTouhy Ave
CrossesN Br Chicago River
Location0.6 M E Il 43
CountyCook County
StateIllinois
Coordinates42.01231, -87.7957
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

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.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionAugust 2024
Inspection intervalevery 12 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 geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating53.6 US tons
Inventory rating32.2 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length67 ft (20.3 m)
Longest span63 ft (19.2 m)
Deck width52 ft (15.8 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic24,400 (2023)
Projected traffic25,856 by 2046
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedDeck rehabilitation with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$316,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Touhy Ave over N Br Chicago River built?

It was built in 1925, making it 100 years old in 2025.

What condition is Touhy Ave over N Br Chicago River 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does Touhy Ave over N Br Chicago River carry?

About 24,400 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Touhy Ave over N Br Chicago River?

The structure is 67 ft (20.3 m) long with a longest span of 63 ft (19.2 m) and a deck 52 ft wide.

Who owns Touhy Ave over N Br Chicago River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.