US Bridges

I-90 Skyway over Chgo.Short Line RR

Fair

Cook County, Illinois · 0.13 M SE Comm Av · Structure no. 016641500000000

Built
1958
67 years old, rebuilt 2003
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
188 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
28,700
2020 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-90 Skyway over Chgo.Short Line RR is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying I-90 Skyway over Chgo.Short Line RR in Cook County, Illinois. It was built in 1958 and reconstructed in 2003, 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 28,700 vehicles a day, roughly 16% of them trucks, projected to reach 28,987 by 2046. The structure is 188 ft (57.4 m) long and 83 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesI-90 Skyway
CrossesChgo.Short Line RR
Location0.13 M SE Comm Av
RouteInterstate 90
CountyCook County
StateIllinois
Coordinates41.72399, -87.55016
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Interstate

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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2023
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 rating59.3 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length188 ft (57.4 m)
Longest span186 ft (56.8 m)
Deck width83 ft (25.3 m)
Roadway width77 ft (23.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic28,700 (2020)
Projected traffic28,987 by 2046
Trucks16%
Lanes on structure6
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a toll road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$2 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was I-90 Skyway over Chgo.Short Line RR built?

It was built in 1958, making it 67 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2003.

What condition is I-90 Skyway over Chgo.Short Line RR 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does I-90 Skyway over Chgo.Short Line RR carry?

About 28,700 vehicles per day (2020 count), of which roughly 16% are trucks.

How long is I-90 Skyway over Chgo.Short Line RR?

The structure is 188 ft (57.4 m) long with a longest span of 186 ft (56.8 m) and a deck 83 ft wide.

Who owns I-90 Skyway over Chgo.Short Line RR?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.