US Bridges

Lake Shore Drive over 18th Drive

Fair

Cook County, Illinois · 1800 S Lake Shore DR · Structure no. 016269200000000

Built
1996
29 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
76 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
137,200
2024 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lake Shore Drive over 18th Drive is a concrete tee beam carrying Lake Shore Drive over 18th Drive in Cook County, Illinois. It was built in 1996, so it is 29 years old, younger 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 137,200 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 127,664 by 2046. The structure is 76 ft (23.2 m) long and 126 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLake Shore Drive
Crosses18th Drive
Location1800 S Lake Shore DR
RouteU.S. Route 41
CountyCook County
StateIllinois
Coordinates41.85861, -87.61705
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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48.6 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length76 ft (23.2 m)
Longest span73 ft (22.4 m)
Deck width126 ft (38.4 m)
Roadway width106 ft (32.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic137,200 (2024)
Projected traffic127,664 by 2046
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure8
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Maintained byCity or Municipal Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Lake Shore Drive over 18th Drive built?

It was built in 1996, making it 29 years old in 2025.

What condition is Lake Shore Drive over 18th Drive 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 Lake Shore Drive over 18th Drive carry?

About 137,200 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Lake Shore Drive over 18th Drive?

The structure is 76 ft (23.2 m) long with a longest span of 73 ft (22.4 m) and a deck 126 ft wide.

Who owns Lake Shore Drive over 18th Drive?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.