FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

FAU-1292 (E Lake A

Carrying FAU-1292 (E Lake A over N Br Chicago River

1.1 M E ILL 43 P14, Cook, Illinois

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor

Bridge Snapshot: FAU-1292 (E Lake A

The FAU-1292 (E Lake A bridge in Cook, Illinois carries FAU-1292 (E Lake A over N Br Chicago River. It was built in 1935, making it 91 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 1981, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of prestressed concrete and spans 3 sections, stretching 25.3 meters (83 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 22,900 vehicles, placing it in the heavily-trafficked tier of Illinois bridges. It is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 2/9, superstructure at 2/9, substructure at 5/9. The weakest component sits in critical condition. Because at least one major component scores 4 or lower, this bridge falls in FHWA's Poor condition category. That category is not a closure order.

Sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for refresh cadence and NBI release vintage.

How FAU-1292 (E Lake A compares

2,185
Bridges in Cook · 144 in Poor condition

Live comparison across Illinois.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
2.0 / 100 - historical under-20 band
Structural adequacy /55
0.0
Serviceability /30
2.0
Essentiality /15
0.0
Special reductions
0

FHWA discontinued this calculated item; it does not determine current condition, funding eligibility, posting, or closure. How the historical reference is calculated.

Condition Ratings

Deck
2/9
Poor (1–4)
Superstructure
2/9
Poor (1–4)
Substructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Overall Condition
Poor

Full 0–9 scale + sufficiency-rating breakdown: how condition ratings work.

Structural Details

Year Built
1935
Last Reconstructed
1981
Material
Prestressed Concrete
Number of Spans
3
Structure Length
25.3 m (83 ft)
Deck Width
17.5 m (57 ft)
Owner
County Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
22,900 vehicles/day
Structure Number
016054400000000

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) rates critical at 2/9, severe deterioration that needs urgent attention.
  • At 2/9, the superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in critical shape, with severe wear requiring urgent action.
  • At 5/9, the substructure (piers and abutments) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.

How to read this record

FAU-1292 (E Lake A is in the federal Poor condition category. That is a component-based result, not a closure order.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Understand what Poor condition does and does not mean before drawing conclusions. Poor condition explained
  • Compare FAU-1292 (E Lake A against other structures in Cook and across Illinois. Illinois bridges
  • Noticed visible damage or a safety concern? Report it to the agency that owns the bridge, or call 911 in an emergency. How to report a bridge

Condition codes come straight from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory and are not a real-time safety judgment. Only the owning agency, a state DOT, county, or other owner, can post, restrict, or close a bridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the condition ratings mean for FAU-1292 (E Lake A?

FAU-1292 (E Lake A in Cook, Illinois has a deck rating of 2/9, superstructure rating of 2/9, and substructure rating of 5/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is FAU-1292 (E Lake A inspected?

FAU-1292 (E Lake A's responsible agency sets its routine interval under FHWA's risk-based inspection rules; this page does not expose the scheduled interval. It carries about 22,900 vehicles per day.

What does “structurally deficient” mean in older bridge reports?

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. FAU-1292 (E Lake A is currently shown as Poor condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for FAU-1292 (E Lake A?

An inventory load rating is not recorded for FAU-1292 (E Lake A.

Who is responsible for maintaining FAU-1292 (E Lake A?

FAU-1292 (E Lake A is owned and maintained by County Highway Agency.

How old is FAU-1292 (E Lake A and does age affect safety?

FAU-1292 (E Lake A was built in 1935, making it 91 years old and last reconstructed in 1981.

Disclaimer: Bridge condition data is from the FHWA NBI and reflects the last reported inspection. A Poor condition rating is not a live declaration that a bridge is closed or unsafe for travel. For current closure, posting, or safety information, contact the responsible transportation agency.

Data sourced from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges

Every figure on PlainBridge is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.