State profile · Near median Poor share

Illinois bridge safety

According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, condition ratings, load ratings, and Poor-condition shares for every public highway bridge in Illinois.

26,928
Public bridges
45.6%
Good condition
9.3%
Poor condition

Illinois holds 26,928 public highway bridges (#2 of 52 by inventory) with a 9.35% Poor share (#12 of 52 by Poor share).

That is 9.3% of the state's inventory, against an average of 7.5% across the 54 states and territories with Poor-rated bridges on file, which places it 41 of 54 ordered from the lowest Poor share upward. A bridge is rated Poor when its weakest applicable component scores 4 or below on the inspecting agency's 0-9 scale, so the category is a maintenance and funding signal rather than a closure order or a live crossing-safety verdict.

Inventory: FHWA NBI 2024 · last ETL August 2026

Total Bridges

26,928

Public highway bridges in Illinois

Good Condition

45.6%

12,289 bridges rated 7-9

-4.4pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

9.3%

2,517 bridges whose lowest applicable component is rated 0-4

1.8pp vs national avg 7.5%

Illinois vs national bridge condition

Illinois - Good condition share 45.6%
National avg

Share of bridges rated 7-9 on the FHWA 0-9 scale (deck, superstructure, substructure all good).

Illinois - Poor-condition share 31.2%
National avg

Lower is better. Bar maxes at 30% (worst-state ceiling). National average sits at 7.5%.

Illinois in the national condition pattern

Each point is a state or territory in the FHWA NBI; the highlighted point is this profile.

Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Illinois has 26,928 bridges and a 9.3% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #41 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold. Scatter plot of 54 data points. 0%10%20%30%40% 0k20k40k60k Public bridges in inventory (thousands) Poor-condition share (%) IL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.35%AL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.35%AK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.89%AZ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.15%AR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.43%CA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 25.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.91%CO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.82%CT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.72%DE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.26%DC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.95%FL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.79%GA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.59%GU, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.77%HI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.53%ID, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.9%IN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.22%IA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 19.16%KS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.26%KY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.37%LA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 12.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.48%ME, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.41%MD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.56%MA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.88%MI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 11.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.27%MN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.44%MS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.03%MO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.95%MT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.81%NE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.9%NV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.14%NH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.51%NJ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 6.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.01%NM, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.51%NY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 17.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.43%NC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.76%ND, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 10.98%OH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.74%OK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 22.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.7%OR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.61%PA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.58%PR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 13.92%RI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.2%SC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.17%SD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 16.36%TN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 20.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.41%TX, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 56.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.23%UT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.91%VT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.9%VI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 29.17%VA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.39%WA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.45%WV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 7.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 18.64%WI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.52%WY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.51%
Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Illinois has 26,928 bridges and a 9.3% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #41 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold.

Illinois vs all states by public bridge inventory

Where this state's FHWA NBI public-highway bridge count sits among every state and territory on PlainBridges

26,928 2nd of 54 higher than 52 of 54 states

States and territories, banded by public bridge inventory size

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more states. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source FHWA National Bridge Inventory · 2024

Read the rank neighborhood for Illinois

The highlighted point is Illinois: 26,928 bridges and 9.35% in Poor condition, rank #41 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The five jurisdictions immediately above and below Illinois on that same Poor-share ordering:

  • Massachusetts: 5,295 bridges · 8.88% Poor
  • Missouri: 24,618 bridges · 8.95% Poor
  • Illinois: 26,928 bridges · 9.35% Poor
  • New York: 17,642 bridges · 9.43% Poor
  • North Dakota: 4,255 bridges · 10.98% Poor

The full national sortable table lives on the rankings page.

Material families in Illinois

Exclusive FHWA material families across all 26,928 bridges in this state; continuous variants fold into the parent family. Orthogonal to the Poor-share scatter above.

Who maintains Illinois’s inventory

State agency holds 31.3% of the 26,928 public highway bridges filed under Illinois in the 2024 NBI, the agency-of-record split for this state, not a condition verdict.

When Illinois’s bridges were built

Pre-1950 construction accounts for 11.2% of the 26,928 bridges with a recorded original year in Illinois. Era bands are orthogonal to the Poor-share ranking above.

Condition Distribution

Illinois45.6%45%9.3%GoodFairPoor
Bridge inventory deck-condition mix - Illinois (FHWA NBI)

Illinois vs nearby ranks

Adjacent states by Poor-condition share (lower share = better)

States are ranked by the share of bridges whose lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below. This describes recorded condition; it does not measure funding effectiveness or live crossing safety. States here sit immediately above and below Illinois on the same metric.

MA

Massachusetts

8.88% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$5,295

MO

Missouri

8.95% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$24,618
Selected

IL

Illinois

9.35% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$26,928

NY

New York

9.43% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$17,642

ND

North Dakota

10.98% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$4,255

Bridges Needing Most Attention in Illinois

Six lowest-condition bridges in Illinois, ranked by the portal's composite display score. Inspection intervals are risk-based under current NBIS rules.

All Bridges in Illinois

I-57

Fair

Over: Dranage Ditch

5.10 M. S. of IL 116, Iroquois, IL

Built 2015 Load: 83.9 t ADT: 18,100

S. RIVER ROAD

Fair

Over: DEFIANCE LAKE CREEK

4.4M S OF IL120, McHenry, IL

Built 1950 Load: 84.2 t ADT: 3,300

I-90

Fair

Over: Higgins Cr. Trib A

.2 Mi W. Elmhurst Rd, Cook, IL

Built 2015 Load: 84.6 t ADT: 147,300

LILY CACHE LN

Fair

Over: LILY CACHE CREEK

1.3 M E NAPERVILE RD, Will, IL

Built 1972 Load: 84.9 t ADT: 5,850

FAI-70 EB

Fair

Over: HURRICANE CK OVFL 1

2.54 MI E BOND CO LN, Fayette, IL

Built 1965 Load: 85.2 t ADT: 12,900

IL 120

Fair

Over: BOONE CREEK

N LIMITS OF MCHENRY, McHenry, IL

Built 1973 Load: 85.2 t ADT: 25,900

FAI-70 WB

Fair

Over: HURRICANE CK OVFL 1

2.54 MI E BOND CO LN, Fayette, IL

Built 1965 Load: 85.5 t ADT: 12,900

US 12 20 45 MANNHE

Fair

Over: SALT CREEK

0.1 M S CERMAK RD, Cook, IL

Built 1958 Load: 85.9 t ADT: 23,500

US 34 FAP 613

Fair

Over: E. FORK SPOON RIVER

0.6 MI NE NEPONSET, Bureau, IL

Built 1974 Load: 86.2 t ADT: 1,650

ILL 78

Fair

Over: BNSF RR

2 MI N ARGO FAY RD, Carroll, IL

Built 1949 Load: 86.2 t ADT: 1,550

Spring Creek Road

Fair

Over: Spring Creek

.25M W of Ridge Rd., McHenry, IL

Built 2012 Load: 87.2 t ADT: 625

CONCORDIA CH RD/CH

Fair

Over: BRANCH PRARE DU PONT

2.3MI E ILL RTE 163, St. Clair, IL

Built 1967 Load: 87.2 t ADT: 800

IL 17/FAS 310

Fair

Over: PIKE CREEK

2.1 M SE OF JCT 1&17, Kankakee, IL

Built 2001 Load: 87.5 t ADT: 4,900

I-70

Fair

Over: CROOKED CREEK

MP 111.2, Cumberland, IL

Built 1969 Load: 87.8 t ADT: 23,100

1st Street

Fair

Over: COAL CREEK

IN COAL VALLEY ON 29, Rock Island, IL

Built 1964 Load: 88.1 t ADT: 1,850

LEROY CENTER RD

Fair

Over: BEAVER CREEK

3.0 MI NW CAPRON, Boone, IL

Built 1968 Load: 88.8 t ADT: 10

167TH STREET

Fair

Over: 76TH AVE DITCH

.05M E OF 76TH AVE, Cook, IL

Built 1975 Load: 88.8 t ADT: 6,550

FAI 57

Fair

Over: STREAM

1.9 MI N OF ILL 9, Ford, IL

Built 1968 Load: 88.8 t ADT: 17,600

I-74

Fair

Over: STREAM

.1M N KNOX CO LINE, Knox, IL

Built 1967 Load: 88.8 t ADT: 15,000

US 34

Fair

Over: CEDAR CREEK

0.7M E OF COUNTY LN, Knox, IL

Built 1986 Load: 88.8 t ADT: 8,950

TR 62

Fair

Over: LAKE FORK CRK

5.9 MI S LITCHFIELD, Montgomery, IL

Built 1988 Load: 88.8 t ADT: 50

COTTONWOOD ROAD

Fair

Over: WARSAW RUN

SECOR NE-28-ROSEFLD, Peoria, IL

Built 1961 Load: 88.8 t ADT: 600

TR 632

Fair

Over: BANSTON CREEK

2 MI E CRAB ORCHARD, Williamson, IL

Built 1900 Load: 88.8 t ADT: 325

MERIDIAN RD

Fair

Over: S. BR. KENT CREEK

1.2 MI S OF 20 BR, Winnebago, IL

Built 1964 Load: 88.8 t ADT: 4,150

BRICK SCHOOL RD

Fair

Over: BEAVER RUN

0.7 MI E BARNINGHAM, Winnebago, IL

Built 1971 Load: 88.8 t ADT: 150

WHITE SCHOOL RD

Fair

Over: UNNAMED CREEK

0.4 MI N MCCURRY RD, Winnebago, IL

Built 1964 Load: 88.8 t ADT: 2,650

ALPINE ROAD

Fair

Over: DRAINAGE DITCH

0.1 M N WINDSOR, Winnebago, IL

Built 1972 Load: 88.8 t ADT: 16,800

SOUTH MAIN ST

Fair

Over: KENT CREEK

0.5 MI S OF STATE ST, Winnebago, IL

Built 1905 Load: 88.8 t ADT: 8,650

FAI 172

Fair

Over: AUSTIN CREEK

3.0MI N I-172/IL 57, Adams, IL

Built 1982 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 9,750

FAI 172

Fair

Over: BRANCH OF MILL CREEK

1.2MI N I172/IL96, Adams, IL

Built 1975 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 7,400

I-172

Fair

Over: Dry Branch

0.70 mi S US 24, Adams, IL

Built 1975 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 7,350

TR 113

Fair

Over: ROCKY CREEK

1 MI NW COOPERSTOWN, Brown, IL

Built 1900 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 100

FAS 1582

Fair

Over: LITTLE MISSOURI CR

2.5 N TIMEWELL, Brown, IL

Built 1959 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 150

FAP 804(US 45)

Fair

Over: STREAM

NEIL & WINDSOR CHAMP, Champaign, IL

Built 1989 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 19,500

IL 104

Fair

Over: LK KINCAID SPILLWAY

2.9M E CH5- KINCAID, Christian, IL

Built 1931 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 3,600

I-70

Fair

Over: E MILL CREEK TRIB

MP 143.3, Clark, IL

Built 1969 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 23,400

US 40(FAS 1707)

Fair

Over: STREAM

W EDGE OF MARSHALL, Clark, IL

Built 1953 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 3,100

I-290

Fair

Over: SALT CREEK

1.2 M S IL 72, Cook, IL

Built 1970 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 165,000

I-294

Fair

Over: SILVER CREEK

1.7 MI N. OF US 20, Cook, IL

Built 1959 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 173,100

FAP-766 (ILL-32)

Fair

Over: STREAM

2 MI N ILL-33, Effingham, IL

Built 1932 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 4,350

ILL 148

Fair

Over: STREAM S CHRISTOPHER

1.2 MI S CHRISTOPHER, Franklin, IL

Built 1967 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 3,750

ILL 78

Fair

Over: MID BR COPPERAS CR

4.5M S OF ILL 116, Fulton, IL

Built 1964 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 3,800

TR 770

Fair

Over: BRANCH COAL CREEK

S.CTR-25-T8NR2E, Fulton, IL

Built 1955 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 75

TR 267

Fair

Over: SAND BRANSH

41 M SE OFCARROLLTON, Greene, IL

Built 1986 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 50

TR 46

Fair

Over: WAGGONER CREEK

3 MI N OF HAMILTON, Hancock, IL

Built 1961 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 150

IL 9

Fair

Over: DITCH

0.4 M W OF 9/94 JCT, Hancock, IL

Built 1928 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 950

I74 & I280

Fair

Over: TURNER CREEK

2 MI W INT I74 & I80, Henry, IL

Built 1962 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 15,000

ILL 1

Fair

Over: BIG BEAVER CREEK

.76 MI N PAPINEAU RD, Iroquois, IL

Built 1998 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 2,000

ILL 149

Fair

Over: L. MBORO SPILLWAY

1.7 MI W MURPHYSBORO, Jackson, IL

Built 1933 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 2,500

AIRPORT RD(UNMARKE

Fair

Over: STREAM

0.6 MI N OF ILL 13, Jackson, IL

Built 1959 Load: 89.1 t ADT: 1,350

Showing 11,951-12,000 of 26,928 bridges

Data sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI), latest released cycle. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI). Poor condition is an inspection-record category, not a closure or unsafe-to-cross designation. Consult the bridge owner for current status.

What to do with this

Use Illinois's inventory picture to drill to a county or a specific span.

  • Browse counties in Illinois and open the highest-Poor shares first. County list
  • See where this state sits among peers on Poor-condition share. State rankings
  • Compare this state with another jurisdiction on the same measures. State compare

NBI condition ratings are inventory snapshots, not live crossing-safety verdicts.

Every figure on PlainBridges is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. Illinois Good/Fair/Poor shares and county rollups on this page are computed from the same NBI extract as the national boards; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2024 NBI release. NBI condition categories reflect the latest reported inventory record, not a live safety, closure, or travel decision.