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

TR 251

Good

Over: SWAB RUN CREEK

NE-24-T10NR4E, Knox, IL

Built 2010 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 75

TR 183

Good

Over: NORTH CREEK

SW-7-T11NR3E, Knox, IL

Built 2011 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 75

TR 23

Good

Over: TRIB N HENDERSON CRK

NE-18-T13NR1E, Knox, IL

Built 2010 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 10

TR 119

Good

Over: South Henderson Crk

NE-19-T12N-R1E, Knox, IL

Built 2012 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 50

TR 244

Good

Over: FOREMAN CREEK

SE-34-T13NR3E, Knox, IL

Built 2013 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 25

TR 304

Good

Over: SWAB RUB CREEK

1.3 Mi N. of Ill. 8, Knox, IL

Built 2015 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 25

TR 29

Good

Over: Mud Run Creek

NE-23-T13NR3E, Knox, IL

Built 2012 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 10

TR 278

Good

Over: WALNUT CREEK TRIB

2 Mi W. of Il. 180, Knox, IL

Built 2015 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 25

TR-65

Good

Over: Fitch Creek

3.5 Mi W of IL 78, Knox, IL

Built 2017 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 50

FAS 397 - CH 8

Good

Over: HAW CREEK

NW-4-T10NR2E, Knox, IL

Built 1965 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,300

TR 21A

Good

Over: STREAM

NW1/4SEC15R2ET13N, Knox, IL

Built 1996 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 10

TR 272

Good

Over: STREAM

NW-29-T11NR4E, Knox, IL

Built 2001 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 25

CH 18

Good

Over: TRIB TO SPOON RIV

N.CTR-25-T11NR4E, Knox, IL

Built 2007 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 325

TR 253

Good

Over: TRIB TO SPOON RIVER

SW-8-T10NR4E, Knox, IL

Built 2006 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 50

TR 22

Good

Over: NORTH HENDERSON CRK

NW COR-17-T13NR1E, Knox, IL

Built 2006 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 75

Main St / FAS 393

Good

Over: Walnut Creek Trib

E.CTR-16-T13NR3E, Knox, IL

Built 2015 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 700

TR 201

Good

Over: TRIB CEDAR CREEK

W.CTR-20-T11NR1E, Knox, IL

Built 2020 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 275

PARK ROAD

Good

Over: TRIB S HENDERSON CRK

NE-34-T12NR1E, Knox, IL

Built 1998 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 250

CHAMBERS ST

Good

Over: CEDAR CREEK

ON CHAMBER S.-GROVE, Knox, IL

Built 1930 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,700

FARNHAM ST

Good

Over: AT&SF (004649A)

2 BLKS N. OF MAIN ST, Knox, IL

Built 1976 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 6,800

ACADEMY ST

Good

Over: CEDAR CREEK

ONE BLOCK N OF MAIN, Knox, IL

Built 1931 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,500

Seminary Street

Good

Over: BNSF Railroad

Galesburg, Knox, IL

Built 2015 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 7,150

FAU 6779- CO LINE

Good

Over: CEDAR CREEK TRIB

Galesburg, Knox, IL

Built 2014 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 75

1ST ST

Good

Over: BN RR (072645G)

CTR-33-T10NR1E, Knox, IL

Built 1996 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 375

LATIMER ST

Good

Over: BN RR (072641E)

S1/2-33-T10NR1E, Knox, IL

Built 1997 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 500

EAST MARTIN ST

Good

Over: BN RR (072643T)

N. CTR-4-T9NR1E, Knox, IL

Built 1996 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,050

SEMINARY STREET

Good

Over: CEDAR CREEK

SE-10-T11NR1E, Knox, IL

Built 2015 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 7,150

TR 176/Barefoot Rd

Good

Over: BNSF RR

SW-19-T11NR3E, Knox, IL

Built 2013 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 150

BIG HOLLOW ROAD

Good

Over: REDHEAD LAKE CHANNEL

.6 M W OF US-12, Lake, IL

Built 1999 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 13,200

IL 176

Good

Over: EAST SKOKIE DITCH

0.35 M E OF US 41, Lake, IL

Built 2011 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 15,800

MIDLOTHIAN RD

Good

Over: DETENTION PD OUTLET

0.3 MI N PETERSON RD, Lake, IL

Built 2011 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 3,000

DIAMOND LAKE ROAD

Good

Over: INDIAN CREEK

0.75M N OF GILMER RD, Lake, IL

Built 2015 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,650

GRASS LAKE ROAD

Good

Over: FOX RIVER

2 M E OF STATE PK RD, Lake, IL

Built 1948 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 6,300

DUFFY LANE

Good

Over: W FK N BR CHICAGO RV

1.3 MI E CH 58, Lake, IL

Built 1958 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,350

WADSWORTH RD.

Good

Over: DESPLAINES RIVER

0.25M.E.OF US-41, Lake, IL

Built 1987 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 14,600

OAK KNOLLS RD.

Good

Over: FLINT CREEK

0.5M.N.LAKE COOK RD., Lake, IL

Built 1988 Load: 32.4 t

IL 120

Good

Over: DRAIN DITCH

.2 EAST OF GILMER RD, Lake, IL

Built 1993 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 26,300

KELSEY RD

Good

Over: FLINT CR

1 MI N OF IL 22, Lake, IL

Built 2006 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 11,100

HUNT CLUB RD

Good

Over: MILL CREEK

2M N OF IL132, Lake, IL

Built 2006 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 10,250

GILMER ROAD

Good

Over: FAIRFIELD ROAD

INT GILMER&FAIRFIELD, Lake, IL

Built 2008 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 8,450

MILLBURN ROAD

Good

Over: NORTH MILL CREEK

0.4 MI E OF US45, Lake, IL

Built 2007 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 9,000

ROLLINS ROAD

Good

Over: MILL CREEK

1.1 MI. W. OF US 45, Lake, IL

Built 1991 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 22,200

MILLER ROAD

Good

Over: STONE CREEK

.3MI E OF IL 59, Lake, IL

Built 2013 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 4,800

KILBOURNE RD

Good

Over: DES PLAINES TRIB.

0.7M S OF STATE LINE, Lake, IL

Built 1954 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,450

GRANDWOOD DRIVE

Good

Over: MILL CREEK

0.2 MI N OF IL-132, Lake, IL

Built 1999 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,450

MS-52 (Hubbard Lan

Good

Over: Bruce Tributary

0.1 MI S CHV77, Lake, IL

Built 2017 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 375

EASTWAY DRIVE

Good

Over: MUTTON CREEK

S OF BURNETT RD, Lake, IL

Built 1995 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,150

W. Concord Court

Good

Over: Unnamed Creek

0.15 M W of CHY W26, Lake, IL

Built 2011 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 35

Cuba & Merry Oaks

Good

Over: Flint Creek

0.25 Mi S OF US14, Lake, IL

Built 2016 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 575

ELM AVE

Good

Over: FLINT CREEK TRIB

.1 M N 14 .3 M E 59, Lake, IL

Built 1991 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 225

Showing 16,651-16,700 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.