US Bridges

Airport RD over Union Ditch #1

Poor

DeKalb County, Illinois · 1985N 1565E · Structure no. 019480500000000

Built
1947
78 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected February 2024
Type
Culvert
Concrete
Length
23 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
900
2021 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Airport RD over Union Ditch #1 is a concrete culvert carrying Airport RD over Union Ditch #1 in DeKalb County, Illinois. It was built in 1947, so it is 78 years old, older 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.

It carries about 900 vehicles a day, roughly 30% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,008 by 2046. The structure is 23 ft (6.9 m) long. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

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CarriesAirport RD
CrossesUnion Ditch #1
Location1985N 1565E
RouteCity Street 0
CountyDeKalb County
StateIllinois
Coordinates41.92068, -88.64754
Functional classRural Minor Collector

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
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Culvert4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionFebruary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating35.7 US tons
Inventory rating21.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeCulvert
MaterialConcrete
DeckNot applicable
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length23 ft (6.9 m)
Longest span10 ft (3 m)
Deck width0 ft (0 m)
Roadway width0 ft (0 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic900 (2021)
Projected traffic1,008 by 2046
Trucks30%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Airport RD over Union Ditch #1 built?

It was built in 1947, making it 78 years old in 2025.

What condition is Airport RD over Union Ditch #1 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 February 2024.

How much traffic does Airport RD over Union Ditch #1 carry?

About 900 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 30% are trucks.

How long is Airport RD over Union Ditch #1?

The structure is 23 ft (6.9 m) long with a longest span of 10 ft (3 m).

Who owns Airport RD over Union Ditch #1?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.