US Bridges

TR 546 over Branch Salt Creek

Fair

McLean County, Illinois · 3.5 MI NW Bellflower · Structure no. 057570800000000

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
40 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
75
2024 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

TR 546 over Branch Salt Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying TR 546 over Branch Salt Creek in McLean County, Illinois. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 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 75 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 76 by 2046. The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesTR 546
CrossesBranch Salt Creek
Location3.5 MI NW Bellflower
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMcLean County
StateIllinois
Coordinates40.37628, -88.59338
Functional classRural Local

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 inspectionSeptember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating48.9 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 15
Structure length40 ft (12.2 m)
Longest span38 ft (11.6 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.7 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic75 (2024)
Projected traffic76 by 2046
Trucks3%
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 TR 546 over Branch Salt Creek built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is TR 546 over Branch Salt Creek 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 September 2023.

How much traffic does TR 546 over Branch Salt Creek carry?

About 75 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is TR 546 over Branch Salt Creek?

The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long with a longest span of 38 ft (11.6 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns TR 546 over Branch Salt Creek?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.