US Bridges

Melvin Road over Howland Creek

Fair

Whiteside County, Illinois · 2 MI E of Rock Falls · Structure no. 098301100000000

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Slab
Concrete Continuous
Length
95 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
650
2021 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Melvin Road over Howland Creek is a concrete continuous slab carrying Melvin Road over Howland Creek in Whiteside County, Illinois. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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 650 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 657 by 2046. The structure is 95 ft (28.9 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesMelvin Road
CrossesHowland Creek
Location2 MI E of Rock Falls
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyWhiteside County
StateIllinois
Coordinates41.76237, -89.63638
Functional classUrban 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating68.9 US tons
Inventory rating40.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length95 ft (28.9 m)
Longest span35 ft (10.8 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic650 (2021)
Projected traffic657 by 2046
Trucks12%
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 Melvin Road over Howland Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is Melvin Road over Howland 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does Melvin Road over Howland Creek carry?

About 650 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is Melvin Road over Howland Creek?

The structure is 95 ft (28.9 m) long with a longest span of 35 ft (10.8 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Melvin Road over Howland Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.