US Bridges

Washington Street over Desplaines River

Fair

Lake County, Illinois · .2M E of Ill 21 · Structure no. 049011400000000

Built
1972
53 years old, rebuilt 2008
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
170 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
10,400
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Washington Street over Desplaines River is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Washington Street over Desplaines River in Lake County, Illinois. It was built in 1972 and reconstructed in 2008, so it is 53 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 10,400 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 15,756 by 2046. The structure is 170 ft (51.9 m) long and 37 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

CarriesWashington Street
CrossesDesplaines River
Location.2M E of Ill 21
Coordinates42.36233, -87.92623
Functional classUrban Minor 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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJuly 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating63.9 US tons
Inventory rating38.3 US tons

Structure

MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length170 ft (51.9 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width37 ft (11.4 m)
Roadway width34 ft (10.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic10,400 (2023)
Projected traffic15,756 by 2046
Trucks4%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Washington Street over Desplaines River built?

It was built in 1972, making it 53 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2008.

What condition is Washington Street over Desplaines River 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 July 2024.

How much traffic does Washington Street over Desplaines River carry?

About 10,400 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is Washington Street over Desplaines River?

The structure is 170 ft (51.9 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 37 ft wide.

Who owns Washington Street over Desplaines River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.