US Bridges

Gerdern Drive over Palmer Creek

Good

Monroe County, Illinois · City of Columbia · Structure no. 067600500000000

Built
1995
30 years old
Condition
Good
inspected February 2022
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
52 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
450
2024 count
Owner
City
City or Municipal Highway Agency

About this bridge

Gerdern Drive over Palmer Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Gerdern Drive over Palmer Creek in Monroe County, Illinois. It was built in 1995, so it is 30 years old, younger than the Illinois average of 45.3 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 450 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 452 by 2046. The structure is 52 ft (15.7 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesGerdern Drive
CrossesPalmer Creek
LocationCity of Columbia
RouteCity Street 0
CountyMonroe County
StateIllinois
Coordinates38.46106, -90.21576
Functional classUrban Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionFebruary 2022
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48.6 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length52 ft (15.7 m)
Longest span49 ft (14.9 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width25 ft (7.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic450 (2024)
Projected traffic452 by 2046
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 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 Gerdern Drive over Palmer Creek built?

It was built in 1995, making it 30 years old in 2025.

What condition is Gerdern Drive over Palmer Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in February 2022.

How much traffic does Gerdern Drive over Palmer Creek carry?

About 450 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Gerdern Drive over Palmer Creek?

The structure is 52 ft (15.7 m) long with a longest span of 49 ft (14.9 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Gerdern Drive over Palmer Creek?

It is owned by the City or Municipal Highway Agency.