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

BALMORAL AVENUE

Poor

Over: CANADIAN CENTRAL RAILROA

0.25 MI W OF I-294, Cook, IL

Built 2000 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 3,000

Lane Court

Poor

Over: 63rd Street Ditch

.25 Mi W of Madison, DuPage, IL

Built 1997 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 100

PEBBLE CREEK DR.

Poor

Over: WILLOW WAY CREEK

W.OF LEASK LANE, DuPage, IL

Built 1980 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 400

FAI-57 NB

Poor

Over: GREEN CREEK

1.5 MI S SHELBY C L, Effingham, IL

Built 1964 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 9,450

MADISON STREET 300

Poor

Over: CREEK

FARINA, Fayette, IL

Built 1930 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 225

ILL 154

Poor

Over: REND LAKE

2.5 MI W I-57, Franklin, IL

Built 1967 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,650

TR 227

Poor

Over: SHAW CREEK

SW-11-T6NR1E, Fulton, IL

Built 1996 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 10

BOTTOM RD - TR 288

Poor

Over: COAL CREEK

NW-19-T8NR3E, Fulton, IL

Built 1996 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 25

PERRY HILL RD-TR 4

Poor

Over: OTTER CREEK

SE-29-T4NR2E, Fulton, IL

Built 1981 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 75

TR 106 ASHTON RD

Poor

Over: E FK NETTLE CREEK

0.08 MI S NELSON RD, Grundy, IL

Built 1986 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 225

TR-110 DWIGHT RD

Poor

Over: JOHNNY RUN

.08 MI N MINE RD, Grundy, IL

Built 1981 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 150

GARDNER RD/FAS 292

Poor

Over: JOHNNY RUN

.36 MI W-BUFFALO RD, Grundy, IL

Built 1992 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 800

GOODFARM RD TR-155

Poor

Over: TRIB E FK MAZON RIV

.13 MI E HALPIN RD, Grundy, IL

Built 1980 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 50

TR 161 STONEWALL R

Poor

Over: TRIB E FK MAZON R

.06 MI W KANKAKEE RD, Grundy, IL

Built 1988 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 75

FAP 685 ILL 9

Poor

Over: MISSISSIPPI RIVER

FORT MADISON IOWA, Hancock, IL

Built 1927 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,500

TR-384

Poor

Over: Mud Creek

3.0 MI NE ATKINSON, Henry, IL

Built 1969 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 50

TR 257

Poor

Over: MUD CREEK

5.5 M NW KEWANEE, Henry, IL

Built 1982 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 25

CH 34

Poor

Over: KING CREEK

2.5 M SE OF ANNAWAN, Henry, IL

Built 1985 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 200

FAI-57 NB

Poor

Over: IC RR

8.98 MI S ASHKUM INT, Iroquois, IL

Built 1967 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 9,050

FAS-330 CH31

Poor

Over: IROQUOIS RIVER

1MI N WATSEKA ON 31, Iroquois, IL

Built 1965 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,200

C.H. 1

Poor

Over: PINEY BRANCH

N LINE SEC 26-7-5, Jackson, IL

Built 1977 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 225

FAS 774

Poor

Over: OTTER CREEK

2M S FIELDON, Jersey, IL

Built 1978 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 225

TR 195

Poor

Over: MILL CREEK

1.5 M N OF ELSAH, Jersey, IL

Built 1977 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 100

KIMBALL-ST

Poor

Over: FOX RIVER

DOWNTOWN ELGIN, Kane, IL

Built 1917 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 16,900

CH 37

Poor

Over: IROQUOIS R

5.3 MI W ST. ANNE, Kankakee, IL

Built 1979 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,150

MILLER RD

Poor

Over: LITTLE ROCK CK

BY CREEK RD, Kendall, IL

Built 1978 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 300

US 150

Poor

Over: SPOON RIVER

4 MI W OF ILL 180, Knox, IL

Built 1930 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,100

FAS 396

Poor

Over: SWAB RUN CREEK

SW-35-T10NR4E, Knox, IL

Built 1996 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 325

FAS 395-CH 17

Poor

Over: SPOON RIVER

5 MI SE OF GILSON, Knox, IL

Built 2000 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 125

FAU-1234 (OAK SP R

Poor

Over: DES PLAINES RIVER

.75 M E OF ILL 21, Lake, IL

Built 1967 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,800

WALDEN LANE

Poor

Over: RAVINE

WALDEN AT WESTLEIH, Lake, IL

Built 1914 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 175

VANPATTEN WOODS RO

Poor

Over: DESPLAINES RIVER

0.19 MI N IL 173, Lake, IL

Built 1991 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 550

Powell St.

Poor

Over: Coal Run Creek

R3E T31N 3rd PM, LaSalle, IL

Built 1984 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 175

TR 39

Poor

Over: DRAINAGE DITCH

3535 E 2900 N, Livingston, IL

Built 1965 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 275

TR 107

Poor

Over: ROOKS CREEK

1020 E 2100 N, Livingston, IL

Built 1925 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 225

FAS 1362A/CH 9

Poor

Over: TRIB TO VERMILION R

5.5 MI NW CHATSWORTH, Livingston, IL

Built 1976 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 200

TR 108 A(FAU 7424)

Poor

Over: STEVENS CREEK

1 MI S OF ILL 121, Macon, IL

Built 1975 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 850

CH 18(SCHOOL RD)

Poor

Over: FRIENDS CREEK

2 MI N OF ARGENTA, Macon, IL

Built 1988 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 125

FAU 7406 (TR 217)

Poor

Over: Trib Big Creek

1 MI E MT ZION, Macon, IL

Built 2005 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,800

FAU 7431

Poor

Over: TRIB STEVENS CREEK

VILLAGE OF FORSYTH, Macon, IL

Built 2011 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 550

FAS 0736

Poor

Over: WOOD RIVER

1.5 MI. W.BUNKERHILL, Macoupin, IL

Built 1932 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,900

FAIRMONT LANE

Poor

Over: FAI 55/70/US 40

1.86 MI W OF IL 157, Madison, IL

Built 1960 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,050

OLD US 51 (SBI 2A)

Poor

Over: LOST CREEK

1.75 MI N SANDOVAL, Marion, IL

Built 1920 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 175

FAS 222-CH 22

Poor

Over: TOMS CREEK

SW-31-T13NR1W, Mercer, IL

Built 1976 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 425

HILLSBORO MT OLIVE

Poor

Over: EAST BRANCH LAKE FK

0.8 MI E WALSHVILLE, Montgomery, IL

Built 1960 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 500

TR 166

Poor

Over: MAUVAISE TERRE CR

NE CL JACKSONVILLE, Morgan, IL

Built 1996 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 175

TR 5

Poor

Over: CREEK

2.5 MI NE LOVINGTON, Moultrie, IL

Built 1984 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 50

EB I-474

Poor

Over: BNSF RR - KICKAPOO CR

S1/2 SEC 26 KICKAPOO, Peoria, IL

Built 1978 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 13,000

SB ILL 6

Poor

Over: CHARTER OAK ROAD

1 MI N OF I-74, Peoria, IL

Built 1978 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 28,400

KOERNER RD-CH R47

Poor

Over: BR OF KICKAPOO CREEK

SEC 15 KICK. TWP, Peoria, IL

Built 2003 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,300

Showing 26,201-26,250 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.