US Bridges

CH-18 over Drainage Ditch

Fair

Douglas County, Illinois · 0.4 MI W of Murdock · Structure no. 021430700000000

Built
1929
96 years old, rebuilt 1976
Condition
Fair
inspected February 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
200
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CH-18 over Drainage Ditch is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying CH-18 over Drainage Ditch in Douglas County, Illinois. It was built in 1929 and reconstructed in 1976, so it is 96 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 200 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 354 by 2046. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesCH-18
CrossesDrainage Ditch
Location0.4 MI W of Murdock
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyDouglas County
StateIllinois
Coordinates39.80011, -88.08447
Functional classRural Minor 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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionFebruary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating44 US tons
Inventory rating26.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.3 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.7 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic200 (2022)
Projected traffic354 by 2046
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty 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$107,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was CH-18 over Drainage Ditch built?

It was built in 1929, making it 96 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1976.

What condition is CH-18 over Drainage Ditch 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 February 2025.

How much traffic does CH-18 over Drainage Ditch carry?

About 200 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is CH-18 over Drainage Ditch?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.3 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns CH-18 over Drainage Ditch?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.