US Bridges

Lasalle Street over Trolley Car Tunnel

Fair

Cook County, Illinois · N. of Chicago River · Structure no. 016617600000000

Built
1911
114 years old, rebuilt 2007
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
56 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
18,600
2022 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lasalle Street over Trolley Car Tunnel is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Lasalle Street over Trolley Car Tunnel in Cook County, Illinois. It was built in 1911 and reconstructed in 2007, so it is 114 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 18,600 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 24,745 by 2046. The structure is 56 ft (17.2 m) long and 34 ft wide.

CarriesLasalle Street
CrossesTrolley Car Tunnel
LocationN. of Chicago River
Coordinates41.88959, -87.63263
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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating97.9 US tons
Inventory rating76.4 US tons

Structure

MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length56 ft (17.2 m)
Longest span54 ft (16.6 m)
Deck width34 ft (10.5 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic18,600 (2022)
Projected traffic24,745 by 2046
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure6
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesOther
Detour if closed—
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 Lasalle Street over Trolley Car Tunnel built?

It was built in 1911, making it 114 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2007.

What condition is Lasalle Street over Trolley Car Tunnel 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Lasalle Street over Trolley Car Tunnel carry?

About 18,600 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Lasalle Street over Trolley Car Tunnel?

The structure is 56 ft (17.2 m) long with a longest span of 54 ft (16.6 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns Lasalle Street over Trolley Car Tunnel?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.