US Bridges

Fairground Road over Yellow Creek

Fair

Stephenson County, Illinois · 1.75 MI W Ill Rt 26 · Structure no. 089320500000000

Built
1973
52 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
125 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
3,450
2024 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Fairground Road over Yellow Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Fairground Road over Yellow Creek in Stephenson County, Illinois. It was built in 1973, so it is 52 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 5 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 3,450 vehicles a day, roughly 3% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,384 by 2046. The structure is 125 ft (38.1 m) long and 29 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesFairground Road
CrossesYellow Creek
Location1.75 MI W Ill Rt 26
CountyStephenson County
StateIllinois
Coordinates42.27196, -89.66286
Functional classUrban Collector

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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating64.3 US tons
Inventory rating38.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length125 ft (38.1 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.4 m)
Deck width29 ft (8.7 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,450 (2024)
Projected traffic3,384 by 2046
Trucks3%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 Fairground Road over Yellow Creek built?

It was built in 1973, making it 52 years old in 2025.

What condition is Fairground Road over Yellow 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 December 2023.

How much traffic does Fairground Road over Yellow Creek carry?

About 3,450 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 3% are trucks.

How long is Fairground Road over Yellow Creek?

The structure is 125 ft (38.1 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.4 m) and a deck 29 ft wide.

Who owns Fairground Road over Yellow Creek?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.