US Bridges

CH-5 over Brushy Fork

Poor

Lawrence County, Illinois · 1 MI W Pinkstaff · Structure no. 051322100000000

Built
1971
54 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected January 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
143 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
175
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CH-5 over Brushy Fork is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying CH-5 over Brushy Fork in Lawrence County, Illinois. It was built in 1971, so it is 54 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.

It carries about 175 vehicles a day, roughly 4% of them trucks, projected to reach 202 by 2046. The structure is 143 ft (43.6 m) long and 26 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

CarriesCH-5
CrossesBrushy Fork
Location1 MI W Pinkstaff
RouteCounty Highway 0
Coordinates38.79837, -87.68807
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
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 rating59.6 US tons
Inventory rating19.3 US tons

Structure

MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans3
Design loadHS 15
Structure length143 ft (43.6 m)
Longest span48 ft (14.6 m)
Deck width26 ft (8 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic175 (2022)
Projected traffic202 by 2046
Trucks4%
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

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 CH-5 over Brushy Fork built?

It was built in 1971, making it 54 years old in 2025.

What condition is CH-5 over Brushy Fork 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does CH-5 over Brushy Fork carry?

About 175 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 4% are trucks.

How long is CH-5 over Brushy Fork?

The structure is 143 ft (43.6 m) long with a longest span of 48 ft (14.6 m) and a deck 26 ft wide.

Who owns CH-5 over Brushy Fork?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.