US Bridges

Wheeler Road over Welch Creek

Poor

Kane County, Illinois · 0.2 MI W Daubermn RD · Structure no. 045310300000000

Built
1974
51 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected May 2023
Type
Channel Beam
Concrete
Length
34 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
150
2023 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Wheeler Road over Welch Creek is a concrete channel beam carrying Wheeler Road over Welch Creek in Kane County, Illinois. It was built in 1974, so it is 51 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 3 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 150 vehicles a day, roughly 21% of them trucks, projected to reach 244 by 2046. The structure is 34 ft (10.3 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

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CarriesWheeler Road
CrossesWelch Creek
Location0.2 MI W Daubermn RD
RouteCity Street 0
CountyKane County
StateIllinois
Coordinates41.77895, -88.53235
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.
Superstructure3 SeriousLoss of section, deterioration, spalling or scour have seriously affected primary structural components.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating50 US tons
Inventory rating30 US tons

Structure

Structure typeChannel Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length34 ft (10.3 m)
Longest span33 ft (10.1 m)
Deck width26 ft (8 m)
Roadway width26 ft (8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic150 (2023)
Projected traffic244 by 2046
Trucks21%
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

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 Wheeler Road over Welch Creek built?

It was built in 1974, making it 51 years old in 2025.

What condition is Wheeler Road over Welch 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does Wheeler Road over Welch Creek carry?

About 150 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 21% are trucks.

How long is Wheeler Road over Welch Creek?

The structure is 34 ft (10.3 m) long with a longest span of 33 ft (10.1 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns Wheeler Road over Welch Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.