US Bridges

Crawford Ave over Cal Sag Channel

Fair

Cook County, Illinois · 1 M N I294 P26 · Structure no. 016074800000000

Built
1931
94 years old, rebuilt 1971
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
334 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
21,000
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Crawford Ave over Cal Sag Channel is a steel truss - thru carrying Crawford Ave over Cal Sag Channel in Cook County, Illinois. It was built in 1931 and reconstructed in 1971, so it is 94 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 21,000 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 21,311 by 2046. The structure is 334 ft (101.7 m) long and 61 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesCrawford Ave
CrossesCal Sag Channel
Location1 M N I294 P26
CountyCook County
StateIllinois
Coordinates41.64937, -87.71869
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.
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 protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
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 rating58.5 US tons
Inventory rating35.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+3 approach)
Design loadH 20
Structure length334 ft (101.7 m)
Longest span207 ft (63.1 m)
Deck width61 ft (18.7 m)
Roadway width44 ft (13.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic21,000 (2023)
Projected traffic21,311 by 2046
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2.5 million
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was Crawford Ave over Cal Sag Channel built?

It was built in 1931, making it 94 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1971.

What condition is Crawford Ave over Cal Sag 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does Crawford Ave over Cal Sag Channel carry?

About 21,000 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Crawford Ave over Cal Sag Channel?

The structure is 334 ft (101.7 m) long with a longest span of 207 ft (63.1 m) and a deck 61 ft wide.

Who owns Crawford Ave over Cal Sag Channel?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.