FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

WABASH AVE

Carrying WABASH AVE over MAIN BR CHICAGO RIV

44 E & 326 N, Cook, Illinois

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
32 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: WABASH AVE

The WABASH AVE bridge in Cook, Illinois carries WABASH AVE over MAIN BR CHICAGO RIV. It was built in 1930, making it 96 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 2002, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of steel and spans 1 section, stretching 106.2 meters (348 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 7,350 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of Illinois bridges. It is owned and maintained by City/Municipal Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 6/9, superstructure at 5/9, substructure at 4/9. The weakest component sits in poor 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. Its NBI inventory load rating is 32.4 metric tons.

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

How WABASH AVE compares

▼ 2.2
Load rating vs Illinois average (34.6 t)
Bottom 23%
Lower load rating than 77% of Illinois bridges
2,185
Bridges in Cook · 144 in Poor condition
WABASH AVE 32.4 t
Illinois average 34.6 t

Live comparison across Illinois.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
47.6 / 100 - historical 20–49.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
30.0
Serviceability /30
12.0
Essentiality /15
13.6
Special reductions
−8.0

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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Superstructure
5/9
Fair (5–6)
Substructure
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Inventory Load Rating
32.4 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1930
Last Reconstructed
2002
Material
Steel
Number of Spans
1
Structure Length
106.2 m (348 ft)
Deck Width
27.4 m (90 ft)
Owner
City/Municipal Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
7,350 vehicles/day
Structure Number
016605200000000

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) rates fair at 6/9, minor deterioration that routine maintenance should address.
  • The superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in fair condition (5/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) rates poor at 4/9, advanced deterioration that should be prioritized for repair.

How to read this record

WABASH AVE 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 WABASH AVE 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 WABASH AVE?

WABASH AVE in Cook, Illinois has a deck rating of 6/9, superstructure rating of 5/9, and substructure rating of 4/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is WABASH AVE inspected?

WABASH AVE'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 7,350 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. WABASH AVE 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 WABASH AVE?

WABASH AVE has an NBI inventory load rating of 32.4 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining WABASH AVE?

WABASH AVE is owned and maintained by City/Municipal Highway Agency.

How old is WABASH AVE and does age affect safety?

WABASH AVE was built in 1930, making it 96 years old and last reconstructed in 2002.

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.