US Bridges

Penrose Road over Elk Horn Creek

Fair

Whiteside County, Illinois · 6 MI N. Sterling · Structure no. 098470800000000

Built
1961
64 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
192 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
175
2021 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Penrose Road over Elk Horn Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Penrose Road over Elk Horn Creek in Whiteside County, Illinois. It was built in 1961, so it is 64 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 175 vehicles a day, roughly 6% of them trucks, projected to reach 126 by 2046. The structure is 192 ft (58.5 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPenrose Road
CrossesElk Horn Creek
Location6 MI N. Sterling
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyWhiteside County
StateIllinois
Coordinates41.88745, -89.70191
Functional classRural 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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
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 rating56.8 US tons
Inventory rating34 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 15
Structure length192 ft (58.5 m)
Longest span70 ft (21.2 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic175 (2021)
Projected traffic126 by 2046
Trucks6%
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

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 Penrose Road over Elk Horn Creek built?

It was built in 1961, making it 64 years old in 2025.

What condition is Penrose Road over Elk Horn 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 September 2024.

How much traffic does Penrose Road over Elk Horn Creek carry?

About 175 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 6% are trucks.

How long is Penrose Road over Elk Horn Creek?

The structure is 192 ft (58.5 m) long with a longest span of 70 ft (21.2 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Penrose Road over Elk Horn Creek?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.