FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD

Carrying CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD over THORN CREEK

1.5 miles NE of IL-1, Cook, Illinois

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
12 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD

The CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD bridge in Cook, Illinois carries CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD over THORN CREEK. It was built in 1982, making it 44 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 2020, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of prestressed concrete and spans 2 sections, stretching 27.0 meters (89 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 6,550 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of Illinois bridges. It is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 3/9, superstructure at 3/9, substructure at 5/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. At least one major component here scores 4 or below, which produces a Poor condition classification under FHWA's current reporting rules. Its NBI inventory load rating is 12.3 metric tons.

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

How CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD compares

▼ 22.3
Load rating vs Illinois average (34.6 t)
Bottom 1%
Lower load rating than 99% of Illinois bridges
2,185
Bridges in Cook · 144 in Poor condition
CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD 12.3 t
Illinois average 34.6 t

Live comparison across Illinois.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
19.1 / 100 - historical under-20 band
Structural adequacy /55
0.0
Serviceability /30
18.3
Essentiality /15
0.8
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
3/9
Poor (1–4)
Superstructure
3/9
Poor (1–4)
Substructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
12.3 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1982
Last Reconstructed
2020
Material
Prestressed Concrete
Number of Spans
2
Structure Length
27.0 m (89 ft)
Deck Width
18.6 m (61 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
6,550 vehicles/day
Structure Number
016241700000000

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) rates poor at 3/9, advanced deterioration that should be prioritized for repair.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in poor condition (3/9), showing advanced deterioration that may require priority repair.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) rates fair at 5/9, minor deterioration that routine maintenance should address.

How to read this record

CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD 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 CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD 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 CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD?

CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD in Cook, Illinois has a deck rating of 3/9, superstructure rating of 3/9, and substructure rating of 5/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD inspected?

CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD'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 6,550 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD 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 CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD?

CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD has an NBI inventory load rating of 12.3 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD?

CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD and does age affect safety?

CHICAGO HEIGHTS RD was built in 1982, making it 44 years old and last reconstructed in 2020.

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.