US Bridges

Washington ST over Street Car Tunnel

Fair

Cook County, Illinois · 100N&500W.TO540 W. · Structure no. 016650600000000

Built
1989
36 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2021
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
276 ft
7 main spans
Daily traffic
9,600
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Washington ST over Street Car Tunnel is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying Washington ST over Street Car Tunnel in Cook County, Illinois. It was built in 1989, so it is 36 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 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 9,600 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,596 by 2046. The structure is 276 ft (84 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWashington ST
CrossesStreet Car Tunnel
Location100N&500W.TO540 W.
CountyCook County
StateIllinois
Coordinates41.88295, -87.65966
Functional classUrban Collector

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.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionAugust 2021
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating59 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans7
Design loadHS 20
Structure length276 ft (84 m)
Longest span39 ft (12 m)
Deck width26 ft (7.8 m)
Roadway width23 ft (6.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic9,600 (2023)
Projected traffic3,596 by 2046
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesOther
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

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 Washington ST over Street Car Tunnel built?

It was built in 1989, making it 36 years old in 2025.

What condition is Washington ST over Street 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 August 2021.

How much traffic does Washington ST over Street Car Tunnel carry?

About 9,600 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is Washington ST over Street Car Tunnel?

The structure is 276 ft (84 m) long with a longest span of 39 ft (12 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Washington ST over Street Car Tunnel?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.