US Bridges

Ill 163 over Harding Ditch

Fair

St. Clair County, Illinois · 50 Ft E Ill 157 · Structure no. 082021300000000

Built
1975
50 years old, rebuilt 2006
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
127 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
3,350
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ill 163 over Harding Ditch is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Ill 163 over Harding Ditch in St. Clair County, Illinois. It was built in 1975 and reconstructed in 2006, so it is 50 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 3,350 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,384 by 2046. The structure is 127 ft (38.8 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesIll 163
CrossesHarding Ditch
Location50 Ft E Ill 157
RouteState Highway 163
CountySt. Clair County
StateIllinois
Coordinates38.55616, -90.11018
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 inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating75 US tons
Inventory rating44.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length127 ft (38.8 m)
Longest span43 ft (13.1 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.2 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,350 (2023)
Projected traffic3,384 by 2046
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$684,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Ill 163 over Harding Ditch built?

It was built in 1975, making it 50 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2006.

What condition is Ill 163 over Harding Ditch 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 August 2023.

How much traffic does Ill 163 over Harding Ditch carry?

About 3,350 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is Ill 163 over Harding Ditch?

The structure is 127 ft (38.8 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13.1 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns Ill 163 over Harding Ditch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.