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

BARRINGTON RD

Fair

Over: E BRANCH POPLAR CK

0.5 M S OF IL 72, Cook, IL

Built 1985 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 29,900

IL 50 (CICERO AVE

Fair

Over: BUTTERFIELD CREEK

0.5 M S VOLLMER RD, Cook, IL

Built 2003 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 16,800

127TH ST

Fair

Over: NAVAJO CREEK

0.1 M E OF IL 43, Cook, IL

Built 2003 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 12,300

I- 80 294 EB TO NB

Fair

Over: I- 80 94 & IL 394

I-80 & 94 INTERCH, Cook, IL

Built 2006 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 11,300

WOOD ST

Fair

Over: CAL UNION DITCH

0.2 M S US 6, Cook, IL

Built 2003 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 7,600

ROBERTS ROAD

Fair

Over: STONY CREEK

0.3 M N 111TH P19, Cook, IL

Built 1932 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 14,400

CENTRAL RD

Fair

Over: Land and Salt Creek

0.56MI W Roselle Rd, Cook, IL

Built 2018 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 6,250

175th Street

Fair

Over: Cherry Creek

0.5 MI E. of Kedzie Ave, Cook, IL

Built 1976 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 12,300

SCHOENBECK RD

Fair

Over: MCDONALD CREEK

0.7 M N PALATINE P25, Cook, IL

Built 1961 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 4,200

GARDNER RD

Fair

Over: ADDISON CR

0.2 M S ROOSEVELTP20, Cook, IL

Built 1957 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,850

FAU-2831 (Kedzie A

Fair

Over: Midlothian Creek

0.4M.S.OF 135TH ST., Cook, IL

Built 1958 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 10,700

HINTZ ROAD

Fair

Over: WHEELING DRN DITCH

0.1M E WOLF ROAD, Cook, IL

Built 1994 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 8,850

TECHNY ROAD

Fair

Over: N. BR CHICAGO RIVER

0.4 M E IL43 P14, Cook, IL

Built 1993 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 7,500

SAUK TRAIL

Fair

Over: REICHART CREEK

0.2M.W.OF IL-394, Cook, IL

Built 1989 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 18,300

WOLF RD.

Fair

Over: RELOC.FLAG CREEK

0.2M.N.OF I-55, Cook, IL

Built 1991 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 9,850

LAKE COOK RD

Fair

Over: IL 21 (MILWAUKEE)

2.1 M W I-94, Cook, IL

Built 1995 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 33,900

143RD STREET

Fair

Over: TINLEY CREEK

0.3 M W OF RIDGELAND, Cook, IL

Built 1997 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 20,300

ASHLAND AVE

Fair

Over: S BR CHICAGO RIVER

2605 S & 1600 W, Cook, IL

Built 1938 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 23,200

CANAL ST

Fair

Over: S BR CHICAGO RIVER

500 W & 2021 S, Cook, IL

Built 1948 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 15,800

DAMEN AVE

Fair

Over: S BR CHICAGO RIVER

2725 S DAMEN AV, Cook, IL

Built 1930 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 21,900

W MONROE ST

Fair

Over: S BR CHICAGO RIV

378 W & 100 S, Cook, IL

Built 1919 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 4,650

N WELLS ST

Fair

Over: MAIN BR CHICAGO RIV

200 W & 309 N, Cook, IL

Built 1922 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 10,500

ADDISON ST

Fair

Over: N BR CHICAGO RIVER

3600 N & 2700 W, Cook, IL

Built 1920 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 19,100

CAMPBELL

Fair

Over: SALT CREEK

0.6 E 53/2.4 N 62P18, Cook, IL

Built 1970 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,350

NORMAL AVE

Fair

Over: AUBURN PARK LAGOON

7825S 500W, Cook, IL

Built 1923 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 500

EGGLESTON AVE

Fair

Over: AUBURN PARK LAGOON

7750S 430W, Cook, IL

Built 1923 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 225

PULASKI ROAD

Fair

Over: BNSF RAILROAD TRACKS

3800S 4000W, Cook, IL

Built 1928 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 18,800

PULASKI RD

Fair

Over: RR Track&Parking Lot

3900 S & 4000 W, Cook, IL

Built 1928 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 37,700

CLARK ST

Fair

Over: UNUSED LAND

200W.& 1200S., Cook, IL

Built 1921 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 11,500

WESTERN BLVD

Fair

Over: S WESTERN AVE

3300S 2400W, Cook, IL

Built 1940 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 17,600

N HALSTED ST

Fair

Over: N BR CANAL

1047 N Halsted, Cook, IL

Built 2011 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 12,050

WABASH AVE

Fair

Over: KINZIE STREET

50E 300N TO 400N, Cook, IL

Built 2005 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 7,350

MONROE ST

Fair

Over: METRA ELECTRIC RR

100S & 200E, Cook, IL

Built 1938 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 9,300

Jackson Dr

Fair

Over: METRA ELECTRIC RR

300 S & 200 E, Cook, IL

Built 1926 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 5,250

PARK DRIVE

Fair

Over: PARKING GARAGE

350E-400NTO500N, Cook, IL

Built 1990 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,000

LAKE SHORE DRIVE

Fair

Over: LAWRENCE AVE

4800 N & 700 W, Cook, IL

Built 1933 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 69,400

W TAYLOR ST

Fair

Over: SERVICE ROAD

400W & 1000S, Cook, IL

Built 2006 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 6,650

Commerce Drive

Fair

Over: W Br. of Salt Creek

.1 M W Plum Grove Rd, Cook, IL

Built 1997 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,450

FULLERTON PARKWAY

Fair

Over: LINCOLN PK LAGOON

2400 N. & 100 E., Cook, IL

Built 2012 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 21,300

Homan Avenue

Fair

Over: Stoney Creek

0.1 MI N 127TH ST, Cook, IL

Built 1967 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 825

LOIS DR

Fair

Over: SALT CREEK

2 E 53/ .25 N 58 P5C, Cook, IL

Built 1982 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 950

I-90 SKYWAY

Fair

Over: STONY ISLAND AVE

0.1 M S 79TH P7C, Cook, IL

Built 1958 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 28,700

I-90 SKYWAY

Fair

Over: COMMERCIAL AVE

AT COMMERCIAL AVE, Cook, IL

Built 1958 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 28,700

I-90 SKYWAY

Fair

Over: CHGO.SHORT LINE RR

0.13 M SE COMM AV, Cook, IL

Built 1958 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 28,700

I-90 SKYWAY

Fair

Over: AVE "M"

0.11 M NW 100TH, Cook, IL

Built 1958 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 28,700

I-90 SKYWAY

Fair

Over: EWING 100TH & AVE"L"

AT 100TH ST, Cook, IL

Built 1958 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 28,700

STONY ISL SB TO E

Fair

Over: STONY 79TH S CHGO

AT STONY 79TH&S CHI, Cook, IL

Built 1958 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 5,000

LASALLE DR

Fair

Over: SHARED USE PATH

1716 N 78 W, Cook, IL

Built 1980 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 21,500

WELLS ST

Fair

Over: Parking Area

200W.& 340N., Cook, IL

Built 1989 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 10,500

NORMAL AVE

Fair

Over: AUBURN PARK LAGOON

7850S 500W, Cook, IL

Built 1923 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 500

Showing 4,101-4,150 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.