US Bridges

Il 53 over Great Western Trail

Fair

DuPage County, Illinois · 0.8 M S of Il 64 · Structure no. 022007600000000

Built
1936
89 years old, rebuilt 2023
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
175 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
18,300
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Il 53 over Great Western Trail is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Il 53 over Great Western Trail in DuPage County, Illinois. It was built in 1936 and reconstructed in 2023, so it is 89 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 18,300 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 16,463 by 2046. The structure is 175 ft (53.2 m) long and 56 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.8 mi (19 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesIl 53
CrossesGreat Western Trail
Location0.8 M S of Il 64
RouteState Highway 53
CountyDuPage County
StateIllinois
Coordinates41.89285, -88.03276
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
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 rating54.2 US tons
Inventory rating32.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length175 ft (53.2 m)
Longest span68 ft (20.6 m)
Deck width56 ft (17.1 m)
Roadway width44 ft (13.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic18,300 (2023)
Projected traffic16,463 by 2046
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesOther
Detour if closed11.8 mi (19 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState 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$1.9 million
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Il 53 over Great Western Trail built?

It was built in 1936, making it 89 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2023.

What condition is Il 53 over Great Western Trail 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 2024.

How much traffic does Il 53 over Great Western Trail carry?

About 18,300 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Il 53 over Great Western Trail?

The structure is 175 ft (53.2 m) long with a longest span of 68 ft (20.6 m) and a deck 56 ft wide.

Who owns Il 53 over Great Western Trail?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.