Total bridges
523
Public highway bridges in Madison County
County profile · official public datasets
Madison County, IL
523 public highway bridges tracked in the FHWA National Bridge Inventory: 49.3% rated Good, 42.3% Fair, 8.4% Poor.
- 523
- Public bridges
- 49.3%
- Good condition
- 8.4%
- Poor condition
The verdict
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory.
Madison County posts a higher-than-median Poor-condition share among rated counties in the state across large county bridge inventory.
- 60th
- of 102 on Poor share
- 8.4%
- Poor-condition share
- 523
- public highway bridges
- 1979
- avg year built
Poor is an FHWA condition category from the lowest applicable component rating (4 or below), not a live crossing-safety or closure decision. Rankings cover counties with at least five public highway bridges.
Madison County Bridge Snapshot
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, Madison County ranks #60 of 102 Illinois counties with at least 5 public highway bridges on Poor-condition share (lower share ranks better; currently 8.4%). Madison County, Illinois contains 523 public highway bridges. Roughly 49.3% are rated “Good,” 42.3% “Fair,” and 8.4% “Poor.” Poor means the lowest applicable deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert rating is 4 or below on the 0–9 NBI scale. It is a condition category, not a live safety or closure decision.
Responsible agencies inspect covered bridges on risk-based intervals under current NBIS rules and submit inventory data to FHWA annually. The list below shows every NBI-tracked bridge in the county. Use the “Sort by” controls to change the ordering, and click any row for its reported inspection date, traffic count, and condition fields.
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See methodology for full definitions.
Good condition
49.3%
258 of 523 rated 7-9
Fair condition
42.3%
221 of 523 rated 5-6
Poor condition
8.4%
44 of 523 rated 4 or below
In-state Poor-share rank
#60 of 102
Among Illinois counties with 5+ bridges, lower share ranks better
Condition distribution
Share of 523 NBI-tracked bridges by lowest applicable component rating.
Good 49.3% (258)
Fair 42.3% (221)
Poor 8.4% (44)
Madison County's Poor-condition bridges carry 199,650 vehicle crossings a day
That is 4.8% of the county's reported daily bridge traffic on 8.4% of its bridges: Poor-condition structures carry less traffic than their share of the inventory. Each Poor bridge averages 4,538 crossings a day against 7,599 for a Good-condition one. A Poor rating is a condition category, not a closure or a live safety judgement; it means the lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below.
Computed over the 522 of 523 bridges in this county that report an average daily traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
39.8% of Madison County's bridges have passed the 50-year mark
208 of the 523 bridges with a recorded construction year were built in 1974 or earlier. Age alone is not a defect: a well-maintained older bridge can rate Good, and 49.3% of this county's inventory does. Even so, this older cohort is the population from which future Poor ratings are drawn, which is why the age profile below matters alongside the condition split above.
Cutoff derives from the 2024 release year minus a 50-year design life. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
One structure carries 12.5% of the county's Poor-condition bridge traffic
FAI 270 EB over COUNTY DITCH, built 1963, carries 24,900 vehicles a day, the most of any Poor-rated structure here. The county's Poor-condition exposure is concentrated rather than evenly spread, so the 44-bridge count understates how much of the daily burden sits on a single crossing.
Share is of the 199,650 daily crossings on Poor-rated bridges that report a traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
When Madison County's bridges were built
523 bridges with a recorded construction year, grouped by decade
- 1900s 12
1900–1909
12 bridges
- 1910s 3
1910–1919
3 bridges
- 1920s 6
1920–1929
6 bridges
- 1930s 19
1930–1939
19 bridges
- 1940s 12
1940–1949
12 bridges
- 1950s 33
1950–1959
33 bridges
- 1960s
1960–1969
101 bridges
- 1970s
1970–1979
47 bridges
- 1980s
1980–1989
91 bridges
- 1990s
1990–1999
76 bridges
- 2000s
2000–2009
71 bridges
- 2010s
2010–2019
41 bridges
- 2020s 11
2020–2029
11 bridges
What this shows Construction peaked in the 1960s, when 101 of the county's bridges still in the inventory were built, which is 19.3% of those with a recorded year. That cohort is now 55 to 64 years old in the 2024 inventory. Its average build year (1979) matches the Illinois average (1979).
How Madison County compares with Illinois's closest counties by inventory size
The 5 Illinois counties nearest Madison County in number of bridges, with their condition splits. Its 8.4% Poor share is the 3rd-lowest of these 6. Its average build year of 1979 against a peer-group mean of 1978 is in line with the group.
Showing the 5 closest of 101 Illinois counties eligible for comparison.
| County | Bridges | Good | Fair | Poor | Avg. built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Livingston County | 579 | 51.8% | 39.9% | 8.3% | 1978 |
| Iroquois County | 570 | 46.5% | 39.1% | 14.4% | 1980 |
| LaSalle County | 528 | 39.4% | 48.3% | 12.3% | 1978 |
| Madison County (this page) | 523 | 49.3% | 42.3% | 8.4% | 1979 |
| Vermilion County | 494 | 27.7% | 65% | 7.3% | 1979 |
| St. Clair County | 486 | 50% | 40.9% | 9.1% | 1977 |
Each share is of that county's own total tracked bridges; peers are the counties with 5 or more bridges whose inventory size is closest to Madison County's. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
Nationwide counties with similar inventory size or average build year
Two NBI-derived peer sets for Madison County, both outside Illinois so the neighborhoods are not the same-state size table above.
Similar inventory size
Nearest county inventories outside IL (523 bridges here).
- Rapides County, LA · 523 bridges
- Kent County, MI · 523 bridges
- Williamson County, TN · 520 bridges
- New Castle County, DE · 527 bridges
Similar average build year
Nearest mean year-built outside IL (1979 here).
- Pima County, AZ · avg 1979 · 1,150 bridges
- Jefferson County, KY · avg 1979 · 662 bridges
- Spartanburg County, SC · avg 1979 · 638 bridges
- McPherson County, KS · avg 1979 · 586 bridges
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release. Peers floor at 10 bridges so stub inventories cannot own the match.
Fair-condition bridges (221)
VFW RD/ TR 3
FairOver: CAHOKIA CREEK
1.9 M W OFSTAUNTON, Madison, IL
Built 1984 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 150
FAS 766/POCAHONTAS
FairOver: LITTLE SILVER CK
0.5 MI E GRANTFORK, Madison, IL
Built 1983 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 425
YORKVILLE RD/ TR 9
FairOver: PADDOCK CK
1 MI NE MIDWAY, Madison, IL
Built 1982 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 200
FAS 771/ ST JAMES
FairOver: PADDOCK CK
2.0 MI SE MIDWAY, Madison, IL
Built 1982 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,500
CH 14 SHERRY CREEK
FairOver: TRIB TO SHERRY CREEK
3.0 M WESTOF WORDEN, Madison, IL
Built 1984 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 100
CH 19 POAG RD
FairOver: COUNTY DITCH
1.3 MI SW POAG, Madison, IL
Built 1982 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 300
FAS 771/ MORO RD.
FairOver: PADDOCK CREEK
1/2 MI S. MIDWAY, Madison, IL
Built 1991 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,200
FAU 9018/ WANDA RD
FairOver: CAHOKIA DIV CANAL
1.0 MI NORTH OF POAG, Madison, IL
Built 1986 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,800
STIEGLITE RD/ TR 1
FairOver: PADDOCK CK
2.2 NW OF PRAIREITOW, Madison, IL
Built 1989 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 50
TR 55
FairOver: HONEYCUT BRANCH
4.5 MILES N OF ALTON, Madison, IL
Built 1986 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 100
TR 21
FairOver: TRIB W FRK W R CRK
4.5 MI N OF ALTON, Madison, IL
Built 1988 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 150
CH 36 LAGEMAN RD
FairOver: LITTLE PIASA CREEK
0.15 S OF JERSEY CO, Madison, IL
Built 1985 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,300
CULP LANE/ TR 117
FairOver: ROCKY BRANCH CREEK C
.8 MI NORTH BETHALTO, Madison, IL
Built 1986 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,400
SNAKE RD TR 122
FairOver: E FORK-WOOD RIV CR
2.0 MI NW DORSEY, Madison, IL
Built 1987 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 150
BARENFINGR RD/TR21
FairOver: E FORK SHERRY CK
2.5 MI NE PRAIRIETOW, Madison, IL
Built 1989 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 50
STRAUBE LN/ TR 21A
FairOver: W. FORK WOOD RIVER
4.5 NORTH OF ALTON, Madison, IL
Built 1990 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 100
BRCKYD HILL RD/TR2
FairOver: TRIB. TO CAHOKIA CK.
1.2 MI. W. OF WORDEN, Madison, IL
Built 1986 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 200
TR 103 UNTERBRINK
FairOver: INDIAN CREEK
1.4 MI. W MIDWAY, Madison, IL
Built 1994 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 100
HUETTE RD(TR 150)
FairOver: BR WOOD RIVER CRK
1.9MI N OF DORSEY, Madison, IL
Built 1998 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 125
CULP LN/MSS 901
FairOver: E FK WOODRIVER CK
BETHALTO, Madison, IL
Built 2009 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,400
CREST DRIVE / MS82
FairOver: BRANCH OF WOOD RIVER
CREST DR NOF RT 140, Madison, IL
Built 1982 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 450
FAU 9093/19TH STRE
FairOver: TRRA&NEW CONRR&ICGRR
19ST OVER NOFLK&WSRR, Madison, IL
Built 1981 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 6,300
STADIUM DR.
FairOver: ROCKY BRANCH CRK
0.2 MI S CULP RD., Madison, IL
Built 2006 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,400
FAI 270 EB
FairOver: ILL 3
.4 M E CHAIN R CNL, Madison, IL
Built 1962 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 22,600
FAI 270 WB
FairOver: ILL 3
.4 M E CHAIN R CNL, Madison, IL
Built 1962 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 22,600
I-270 EASTBOUND
FairOver: JUDYS BR & MCT Trail
WEST OF IL 159, Madison, IL
Built 1996 Load: 33.0 t ADT: 19,250
I-270 WESTBOUND
FairOver: JUDYS BR & MCT trail
WEST OF IL 159, Madison, IL
Built 1996 Load: 33.0 t ADT: 19,250
TR 365
FairOver: SILVER LAKE FORK
2.5 MI SW ST JACOB, Madison, IL
Built 1976 Load: 33.0 t ADT: 150
FAI 70 WB
FairOver: WENDELL BRANCH
1.6 M E FAI 55, Madison, IL
Built 1965 Load: 33.4 t ADT: 15,300
FAI 70 EB
FairOver: SILVER CREEK
2.3 M W ILL 4, Madison, IL
Built 1962 Load: 33.4 t ADT: 15,300
FAI 70 WB
FairOver: SILVER CREEK
2.3 M W ILL 4, Madison, IL
Built 1964 Load: 33.4 t ADT: 15,300
FAI 270 EB
FairOver: FAI 55
JCT I-55/70/270 "3I", Madison, IL
Built 1964 Load: 33.4 t ADT: 15,100
TR 251-A(GOSHEN RD
FairOver: FAI 55
2 M N JCT 270, Madison, IL
Built 1966 Load: 33.4 t ADT: 925
IL 3
FairOver: PHRR ACPRR Access Road
ARMY DEPOT RR YARD, Madison, IL
Built 1975 Load: 33.4 t ADT: 11,700
FAS 766/ FRUIT RD.
FairOver: SILVER CK
8.8 MI W GRANTFORK, Madison, IL
Built 1983 Load: 33.4 t ADT: 725
IL 111
FairOver: Access Rd NSRR
1.25 M N 270, Madison, IL
Built 1940 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 4,800
FAS 777-LIV. ND RO
FairOver: TRIB TO SILVER CREEK
1.5ME OF IL 4&LIV RD, Madison, IL
Built 1985 Load: 33.7 t ADT: 525
FAI 70 EB
FairOver: BRANCH OF SILVER CRK
1.25 M W ILL 4, Madison, IL
Built 1964 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 15,300
ILL 111
FairOver: CAHOKIA DIVERSN CNL
3 M N 270, Madison, IL
Built 1940 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 4,000
IL 159
FairOver: Mooney Creek
Just N. of IL 143, Madison, IL
Built 1937 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 6,550
FAS 766/ FRUIT RD.
FairOver: SAND CREEK
2.8 MI. W. GRANTFORK, Madison, IL
Built 1959 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 425
I-55 SB
FairOver: MCT trail (AbandonedNWRR
2.2 mi N of IL 143, Madison, IL
Built 1955 Load: 34.3 t ADT: 15,050
I-55 NB
FairOver: MCT trail (AbandonedNWRR
1.2 mi N of IL 1432, Madison, IL
Built 1955 Load: 34.3 t ADT: 15,050
ILL 157 SB
FairOver: FAI 270
1.5 MI N PETERS STA, Madison, IL
Built 1963 Load: 34.3 t ADT: 10,050
ILL 157 NB
FairOver: FAI 270
1.5 MI N PETERS STA, Madison, IL
Built 1963 Load: 34.3 t ADT: 10,050
IL 140
FairOver: W Fork of Wood River
0.3mi E of IL 3, Madison, IL
Built 1954 Load: 34.3 t ADT: 18,300
IL 140
FairOver: Indian Creek
1.6mi W of IL 159, Madison, IL
Built 1928 Load: 34.3 t ADT: 6,000
IL 3 NB
FairOver: NSRR
3.8 M S FAI 270, Madison, IL
Built 1967 Load: 34.7 t ADT: 13,000
IL 3 SB
FairOver: NSRR
3.8 M S FAI 270, Madison, IL
Built 1967 Load: 34.7 t ADT: 13,000
FAI 70 WB
FairOver: SUGAR FORK
3.6 M E ILL 4, Madison, IL
Built 1964 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 13,750
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges
Every figure on PlainBridges 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. NBI condition categories reflect the latest reported inventory record, not a live safety, closure, or travel decision.