FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

PEARL ST

Carrying PEARL ST over SO BR KISHWAUKEE RV

3215N 540E, DeKalb, Illinois

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
19 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: PEARL ST

The PEARL ST bridge in DeKalb, Illinois carries PEARL ST over SO BR KISHWAUKEE RV. It was built in 1949, making it 77 years old today. The structure is built primarily of steel continuous and spans 4 sections, stretching 68.2 meters (224 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 1,000 vehicles, placing it in the lower-traffic tier of Illinois bridges. It is owned and maintained by City/Municipal Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show a deck rating of 4/9, superstructure at 3/9, substructure at 6/9. 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 19.4 metric tons.

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

How PEARL ST compares

▼ 15.2
Load rating vs Illinois average (34.6 t)
Bottom 4%
Lower load rating than 96% of Illinois bridges
264
Bridges in DeKalb · 33 in Poor condition
PEARL ST 19.4 t
Illinois average 34.6 t

Live comparison across Illinois.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
13.0 / 100 - historical under-20 band
Structural adequacy /55
0.0
Serviceability /30
4.0
Essentiality /15
9.0
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Superstructure
3/9
Poor (1–4)
Substructure
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
19.4 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1949
Material
Steel Continuous
Number of Spans
4
Structure Length
68.2 m (224 ft)
Deck Width
7.3 m (24 ft)
Owner
City/Municipal Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
1,000 vehicles/day
Structure Number
019400800000000

Condition Analysis

  • At 4/9, the deck (driving surface) is in poor shape, with advanced wear flagged for priority 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) is in fair condition (6/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.

How to read this record

PEARL ST 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 PEARL ST against other structures in DeKalb 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 PEARL ST?

PEARL ST in DeKalb, Illinois has a deck rating of 4/9, superstructure rating of 3/9, and substructure rating of 6/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is PEARL ST inspected?

PEARL ST'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 1,000 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. PEARL ST 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 PEARL ST?

PEARL ST has an NBI inventory load rating of 19.4 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining PEARL ST?

PEARL ST is owned and maintained by City/Municipal Highway Agency.

How old is PEARL ST and does age affect safety?

PEARL ST was built in 1949, making it 77 years old.

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.