US Bridges

Blink Road over Otter Creek

Fair

Whiteside County, Illinois · 3 MI N.E. of Fulton · Structure no. 098585900000000

Built
1991
34 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected November 2024
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
160 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
100
2022 count
Owner
Town / Township
Town or Township Highway Agency

About this bridge

Blink Road over Otter Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Blink Road over Otter Creek in Whiteside County, Illinois. It was built in 1991, so it is 34 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 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 100 vehicles a day, roughly 20% of them trucks, projected to reach 101 by 2046. The structure is 160 ft (48.7 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBlink Road
CrossesOtter Creek
Location3 MI N.E. of Fulton
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyWhiteside County
StateIllinois
Coordinates41.90178, -90.09335
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.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionNovember 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 geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating48.9 US tons
Inventory rating35.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length160 ft (48.7 m)
Longest span79 ft (24 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic100 (2022)
Projected traffic101 by 2046
Trucks20%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 Blink Road over Otter Creek built?

It was built in 1991, making it 34 years old in 2025.

What condition is Blink Road over Otter 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 November 2024.

How much traffic does Blink Road over Otter Creek carry?

About 100 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 20% are trucks.

How long is Blink Road over Otter Creek?

The structure is 160 ft (48.7 m) long with a longest span of 79 ft (24 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns Blink Road over Otter Creek?

It is owned by the Town or Township Highway Agency.