FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

I-55 (SB)

Carrying I-55 (SB) over ILLINOIS CENTRAL RR

1M N GLENARM INTCHG, Sangamon, Illinois

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
30 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: I-55 (SB)

The I-55 (SB) bridge in Sangamon, Illinois carries I-55 (SB) over ILLINOIS CENTRAL RR. It was built in 1971, making it 55 years old today. It was last reconstructed in 1979, extending its service life. The structure is built primarily of steel continuous and spans 2 sections, stretching 103.6 meters (340 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 17,850 vehicles, placing it in the heavily-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 4/9, substructure at 6/9. 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 29.8 metric tons.

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

How I-55 (SB) compares

▼ 4.8
Load rating vs Illinois average (34.6 t)
Bottom 20%
Lower load rating than 80% of Illinois bridges
480
Bridges in Sangamon · 25 in Poor condition
I-55 (SB) 29.8 t
Illinois average 34.6 t

Live comparison across Illinois.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
67.1 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
28.6
Serviceability /30
28.0
Essentiality /15
10.5
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 How the historical reference is calculated.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
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Superstructure
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Substructure
6/9
Fair (5–6)
Inventory Load Rating
29.8 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

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

Structural Details

Year Built
1971
Last Reconstructed
1979
Material
Steel Continuous
Number of Spans
2
Structure Length
103.6 m (340 ft)
Deck Width
17.7 m (58 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
17,850 vehicles/day
Structure Number
084011300000000

Condition Analysis

  • At 6/9, the deck (driving surface) shows fair condition, with minor wear flagged for upkeep.
  • At 4/9, the superstructure (beams and supports above the deck) is in poor shape, with advanced wear flagged for 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

I-55 (SB) 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 I-55 (SB) against other structures in Sangamon 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 I-55 (SB)?

I-55 (SB) in Sangamon, Illinois has a deck rating of 6/9, superstructure rating of 4/9, and substructure rating of 6/9 on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is I-55 (SB) inspected?

I-55 (SB)'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 17,850 vehicles per day.

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

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. I-55 (SB) 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 I-55 (SB)?

I-55 (SB) has an NBI inventory load rating of 29.8 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining I-55 (SB)?

I-55 (SB) is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is I-55 (SB) and does age affect safety?

I-55 (SB) was built in 1971, making it 55 years old and last reconstructed in 1979.

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.