US Bridges

Township RD No 158 over Hells Branch

PoorPosted for load

Jo Daviess County, Illinois · 3 MI NE of Elizabeth · Structure no. 043313100000000

Built
1916
109 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected March 2023
Type
Other
Concrete
Length
48 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
25
2021 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Township RD No 158 over Hells Branch is a concrete other carrying Township RD No 158 over Hells Branch in Jo Daviess County, Illinois. It was built in 1916, so it is 109 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 25 vehicles a day, projected to reach 25 by 2046. The structure is 48 ft (14.6 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesTownship RD No 158
CrossesHells Branch
Location3 MI NE of Elizabeth
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyJo Daviess County
StateIllinois
Coordinates42.35688, -90.18622
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
Deck4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating32.2 US tons
Inventory rating19.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeOther
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length48 ft (14.6 m)
Longest span47 ft (14.3 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.9 m)
Roadway width16 ft (4.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic25 (2021)
Projected traffic25 by 2046
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$122,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Township RD No 158 over Hells Branch built?

It was built in 1916, making it 109 years old in 2025.

What condition is Township RD No 158 over Hells Branch 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 March 2023.

How much traffic does Township RD No 158 over Hells Branch carry?

About 25 vehicles per day (2021 count).

How long is Township RD No 158 over Hells Branch?

The structure is 48 ft (14.6 m) long with a longest span of 47 ft (14.3 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns Township RD No 158 over Hells Branch?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.