Illinois bridge conditions
26,927 inventoried bridges · 2,563 rated poor · county by county
United States Bridge Conditions2025 National Bridge Inventory, FHWACompiled
- 2,563 of Illinois's 26,927 inventoried bridges are rated in poor condition (9.5%) in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory, as of .
- 12,012 bridges (44.6%) are rated good and 12,352 (45.9%) fair.
- The national poor rate is about 6.7%; Illinois is above it (see all states ranked).
- The busiest poor-rated bridge in the state is I- 90 94 Ryan Elev over Canal to Stewart Sts in Cook County, carrying about 245,500 vehicles a day.
By the measure that matters most - the most traffic on a poor rating - it is I- 90 94 Ryan Elev over Canal to Stewart Sts in Cook County, built 1962, carrying about 245,500 vehicles a day. That is a repair-priority flag, not a collapse warning: what a poor rating does and does not mean. See the worst bridge in every state.
Good 44.6% · Fair 45.9% · Poor 9.5% of 26,927 bridges
Bridge conditions by county
Sorted by the number of poor-rated bridges. Click any county for its full bridge list.
The 25 busiest poor-rated bridges in Illinois
Frequently asked questions
How many bridges in Illinois are in poor condition?
2,563 of Illinois's 26,927 inventoried highway bridges are rated in poor condition (9.5%) in the 2025 National Bridge Inventory. 'Poor' is FHWA's classification for a bridge whose deck, superstructure, or substructure is rated 4 or lower on the 0-9 scale; it was formerly called 'structurally deficient'.
Are the poor-rated bridges in Illinois safe to drive on?
A poor rating flags advanced deterioration that needs repair or close monitoring; it does not by itself mean a bridge is unsafe. Bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted to lighter loads by the owner. Inspections continue on all open bridges, generally at least every 24 months under the National Bridge Inspection Standards.
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2025 vintage, reported by the Illinois DOT.
Background: how bridge ratings work · what "poor" and "structurally deficient" actually mean · how often bridges are inspected.