US Bridges

Central Ave. over San.Drain.&ship Can.

Fair

Cook County, Illinois · 0.15M.N.OF I-55 · Structure no. 016324000000000

Built
1970
55 years old, rebuilt 2007
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
3,430 ft
33 main spans
Daily traffic
9,000
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Central Ave. over San.Drain.&ship Can. is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Central Ave. over San.Drain.&ship Can. in Cook County, Illinois. It was built in 1970 and reconstructed in 2007, so it is 55 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 9,000 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 10,100 by 2046. The structure is 3,430 ft (1,045.5 m) long and 65 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCentral Ave.
CrossesSan.Drain.&ship Can.
Location0.15M.N.OF I-55
CountyCook County
StateIllinois
Coordinates41.81986, -87.76305
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
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionOctober 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating50 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans33
Design loadHS 20
Structure length3,430 ft (1,045.5 m)
Longest span240 ft (73.2 m)
Deck width65 ft (19.8 m)
Roadway width51 ft (15.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic9,000 (2022)
Projected traffic10,100 by 2046
Trucks6%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad and waterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was Central Ave. over San.Drain.&ship Can. built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2007.

What condition is Central Ave. over San.Drain.&ship Can. 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 Central Ave. over San.Drain.&ship Can. carry?

About 9,000 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Central Ave. over San.Drain.&ship Can.?

The structure is 3,430 ft (1,045.5 m) long with a longest span of 240 ft (73.2 m) and a deck 65 ft wide.

Who owns Central Ave. over San.Drain.&ship Can.?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.