US Bridges

Park Ave over Cal Union Ditch

Fair

Cook County, Illinois · 0.5 M S US 6 · Structure no. 016077100000000

Built
1958
67 years old, rebuilt 2013
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
48 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
8,500
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Park Ave over Cal Union Ditch is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Park Ave over Cal Union Ditch in Cook County, Illinois. It was built in 1958 and reconstructed in 2013, so it is 67 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 8,500 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 7,878 by 2046. The structure is 48 ft (14.7 m) long and 52 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesPark Ave
CrossesCal Union Ditch
Location0.5 M S US 6
CountyCook County
StateIllinois
Coordinates41.59706, -87.65016
Functional classUrban 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
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 inspectionFebruary 2023
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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating98.2 US tons
Inventory rating85.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length48 ft (14.7 m)
Longest span45 ft (13.7 m)
Deck width52 ft (15.8 m)
Roadway width44 ft (13.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic8,500 (2023)
Projected traffic7,878 by 2046
Trucks3%
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

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$461,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Park Ave over Cal Union Ditch built?

It was built in 1958, making it 67 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2013.

What condition is Park Ave over Cal Union Ditch 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 February 2023.

How much traffic does Park Ave over Cal Union Ditch carry?

About 8,500 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Park Ave over Cal Union Ditch?

The structure is 48 ft (14.7 m) long with a longest span of 45 ft (13.7 m) and a deck 52 ft wide.

Who owns Park Ave over Cal Union Ditch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.