US Bridges

Township Road No 3 over Smallpox Creek

Poor

Jo Daviess County, Illinois · 3 MI S.E. of Galena · Structure no. 043305000000000

Built
1963
62 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
60 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
250
2021 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Township Road No 3 over Smallpox Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Township Road No 3 over Smallpox Creek in Jo Daviess County, Illinois. It was built in 1963, so it is 62 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 2 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: open, would be posted or closed except for temporary shoring.

It carries about 250 vehicles a day, roughly 17% of them trucks, projected to reach 253 by 2046. The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesTownship Road No 3
CrossesSmallpox Creek
Location3 MI S.E. of Galena
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyJo Daviess County
StateIllinois
Coordinates42.37079, -90.39319
Functional classRural Local

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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure2 CriticalAdvanced deterioration of primary structural elements. Bridge may be closed until corrective action is taken.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, would be posted or closed except for temporary shoring
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating53.6 US tons
Inventory rating31.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 15
Structure length60 ft (18.3 m)
Longest span59 ft (18 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.8 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic250 (2021)
Projected traffic253 by 2046
Trucks17%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerTown or Township Highway Agency
Maintained byTown or Township 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 Township Road No 3 over Smallpox Creek built?

It was built in 1963, making it 62 years old in 2025.

What condition is Township Road No 3 over Smallpox Creek 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Township Road No 3 over Smallpox Creek carry?

About 250 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 17% are trucks.

How long is Township Road No 3 over Smallpox Creek?

The structure is 60 ft (18.3 m) long with a longest span of 59 ft (18 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns Township Road No 3 over Smallpox Creek?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.