US Bridges

Congress Parkway over Franklin St&wacker

Fair

Cook County, Illinois · East of Chicago Riv · Structure no. 016045800000000

Built
1954
71 years old, rebuilt 2011
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
327 ft
4 main spans
Daily traffic
76,900
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Congress Parkway over Franklin St&wacker is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Congress Parkway over Franklin St&wacker in Cook County, Illinois. It was built in 1954 and reconstructed in 2011, so it is 71 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 6 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 76,900 vehicles a day, roughly 2% of them trucks, projected to reach 37,724 by 2046. The structure is 327 ft (99.8 m) long and 102 ft wide.

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCongress Parkway
CrossesFranklin St&wacker
LocationEast of Chicago Riv
CountyCook County
StateIllinois
Coordinates41.87555, -87.63584
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

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

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating67.9 US tons
Inventory rating40.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans4 (+1 approach)
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length327 ft (99.8 m)
Longest span83 ft (25.4 m)
Deck width102 ft (31.2 m)
Roadway width86 ft (26.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic76,900 (2024)
Projected traffic37,724 by 2046
Trucks2%
Lanes on structure7
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesOverpass structure at an interchange
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed—
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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$6.7 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Congress Parkway over Franklin St&wacker built?

It was built in 1954, making it 71 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2011.

What condition is Congress Parkway over Franklin St&wacker 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 October 2024.

How much traffic does Congress Parkway over Franklin St&wacker carry?

About 76,900 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 2% are trucks.

How long is Congress Parkway over Franklin St&wacker?

The structure is 327 ft (99.8 m) long with a longest span of 83 ft (25.4 m) and a deck 102 ft wide.

Who owns Congress Parkway over Franklin St&wacker?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.