US Bridges

Buell Road over Skunk Creek

Fair

Whiteside County, Illinois · 6 MI N of Sterling · Structure no. 098471800000000

Built
1980
45 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected September 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
40 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
75
2022 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Buell Road over Skunk Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Buell Road over Skunk Creek in Whiteside County, Illinois. It was built in 1980, so it is 45 years old, younger 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 75 vehicles a day, roughly 27% of them trucks, projected to reach 76 by 2046. The structure is 40 ft (12.3 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBuell Road
CrossesSkunk Creek
Location6 MI N of Sterling
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyWhiteside County
StateIllinois
Coordinates41.89147, -89.70664
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionSeptember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourScour critical; foundations unstable for calculated scour conditions
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48.9 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 length40 ft (12.3 m)
Longest span35 ft (10.8 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic75 (2022)
Projected traffic76 by 2046
Trucks27%
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 Buell Road over Skunk Creek built?

It was built in 1980, making it 45 years old in 2025.

What condition is Buell Road over Skunk 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 Buell Road over Skunk Creek carry?

About 75 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 27% are trucks.

How long is Buell Road over Skunk Creek?

The structure is 40 ft (12.3 m) long with a longest span of 35 ft (10.8 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns Buell Road over Skunk Creek?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.