US Bridges

CH-38 over North Fork Creek

Poor

Marion County, Illinois · 5 MI E Vernon · Structure no. 061304400000000

Built
1909
116 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected February 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
75
2022 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

CH-38 over North Fork Creek is a concrete slab carrying CH-38 over North Fork Creek in Marion County, Illinois. It was built in 1909, so it is 116 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 75 vehicles a day, roughly 17% of them trucks, projected to reach 76 by 2046. The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long and 22 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesCH-38
CrossesNorth Fork Creek
Location5 MI E Vernon
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyMarion County
StateIllinois
Coordinates38.80074, -88.99449
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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionFebruary 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 adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating61.8 US tons
Inventory rating36.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length28 ft (8.5 m)
Longest span27 ft (8.2 m)
Deck width22 ft (6.7 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic75 (2022)
Projected traffic76 by 2046
Trucks17%
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-38 over North Fork Creek built?

It was built in 1909, making it 116 years old in 2025.

What condition is CH-38 over North Fork 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 February 2024.

How much traffic does CH-38 over North Fork Creek carry?

About 75 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 17% are trucks.

How long is CH-38 over North Fork Creek?

The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long with a longest span of 27 ft (8.2 m) and a deck 22 ft wide.

Who owns CH-38 over North Fork Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.