US Bridges

Touhy Ave over N Shore Channel

Fair

Cook County, Illinois · 1 M N Devon · Structure no. 016071400000000

Built
1930
95 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2022
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
154 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
29,200
2023 count
Owner
Local
Other Local Agency

About this bridge

Touhy Ave over N Shore Channel is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Touhy Ave over N Shore Channel in Cook County, Illinois. It was built in 1930, so it is 95 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 29,200 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 29,795 by 2046. The structure is 154 ft (46.9 m) long and 60 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesTouhy Ave
CrossesN Shore Channel
Location1 M N Devon
CountyCook County
StateIllinois
Coordinates42.01185, -87.71004
Functional classUrban Minor 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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionNovember 2022
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating91.8 US tons
Inventory rating52.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length154 ft (46.9 m)
Longest span71 ft (21.6 m)
Deck width60 ft (18.3 m)
Roadway width44 ft (13.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic29,200 (2023)
Projected traffic29,795 by 2046
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerOther Local Agency
Maintained byOther Local 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$1.2 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Touhy Ave over N Shore Channel built?

It was built in 1930, making it 95 years old in 2025.

What condition is Touhy Ave over N Shore Channel 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 November 2022.

How much traffic does Touhy Ave over N Shore Channel carry?

About 29,200 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Touhy Ave over N Shore Channel?

The structure is 154 ft (46.9 m) long with a longest span of 71 ft (21.6 m) and a deck 60 ft wide.

Who owns Touhy Ave over N Shore Channel?

It is owned by the Other Local Agency.