FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

IL 31

Carrying IL 31 over NIPPERSINK CREEK

1.5 M S OF US 12, McHenry, Illinois

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Fair
44 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: IL 31

The IL 31 bridge in McHenry, Illinois carries IL 31 over NIPPERSINK CREEK. It was built in 1927, making it 99 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 1988, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of steel continuous and spans 3 sections, stretching 50.9 meters (167 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 7,600 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 6/9, superstructure at 5/9, substructure at 6/9. The weakest component sits in fair condition. All reported major components score above the Poor range. Its NBI inventory load rating is 44.1 metric tons.

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

How IL 31 compares

▲ 9.5
Load rating vs Illinois average (34.6 t)
Top 13%
Higher load rating than 87% of Illinois bridges
229
Bridges in McHenry · 46 in Poor condition
IL 31 44.1 t
Illinois average 34.6 t

Live comparison across Illinois.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
75.3 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
45.0
Serviceability /30
29.0
Essentiality /15
2.3
Special reductions
−1.0

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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
44.1 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Fair

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1927
Last Reconstructed
1988
Material
Steel Continuous
Number of Spans
3
Structure Length
50.9 m (167 ft)
Deck Width
14.6 m (48 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
7,600 vehicles/day
Structure Number
056003700000000

Condition Analysis

  • The deck (driving surface) rates fair at 6/9, minor deterioration that routine maintenance should address.
  • At 5/9, the superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.
  • The substructure (piers and abutments) is in fair condition (6/9), with minor deterioration that may require routine maintenance.

How to read this record

This page shows what the last federal inspection recorded, not whether IL 31 is safe to cross today. Here is how to use it.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Learn how the 0–9 condition scale and Good/Fair/Poor categories are defined. How condition ratings work
  • Compare IL 31 against other structures in McHenry 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 IL 31?

IL 31 in McHenry, Illinois has a deck rating of 6/9, superstructure rating of 5/9, and substructure rating of 6/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is IL 31 inspected?

IL 31'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 7,600 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. IL 31 is currently shown as Fair condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for IL 31?

IL 31 has an NBI inventory load rating of 44.1 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining IL 31?

IL 31 is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is IL 31 and does age affect safety?

IL 31 was built in 1927, making it 99 years old and last reconstructed in 1988.

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.