US Bridges

Lake Shore DR over Wacker Drive

PoorPosted for load

Cook County, Illinois · 500E.& 340N. · Structure no. 016649100000000

Built
1986
39 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected June 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
200 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
102,000
2024 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Lake Shore DR over Wacker Drive is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Lake Shore DR over Wacker Drive in Cook County, Illinois. It was built in 1986, so it is 39 years old, younger than the Illinois average of 45.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 102,000 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 98,576 by 2046. The structure is 200 ft (61 m) long and 85 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesLake Shore DR
CrossesWacker Drive
Location500E.& 340N.
RouteU.S. Route 41
CountyCook County
StateIllinois
Coordinates41.88785, -87.61414
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating33.6 US tons
Inventory rating20 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length200 ft (61 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.6 m)
Deck width85 ft (26 m)
Roadway width68 ft (20.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic102,000 (2024)
Projected traffic98,576 by 2046
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure8
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesHighway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 DR over Wacker Drive built?

It was built in 1986, making it 39 years old in 2025.

What condition is Lake Shore DR over Wacker Drive in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in June 2023.

How much traffic does Lake Shore DR over Wacker Drive carry?

About 102,000 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Lake Shore DR over Wacker Drive?

The structure is 200 ft (61 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.6 m) and a deck 85 ft wide.

Who owns Lake Shore DR over Wacker Drive?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.