A bridge walked into a bar. The bartender said, 'Why the long span?'
A bridge walked into a bar. The bartender said, 'Why the long span?'
If I had a dime for every bridge I've crossed, I'd have about ten bucks by now.
over LITTLE CAL RIVER
1.3 M N IL 83
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This bridge has a Poor overall condition rating of 4 out of 9. This bridge is classified as being in poor condition, meaning one or more structural components have significant deterioration. Poor condition does not mean the bridge is unsafe to drive on, but it does mean repairs or replacement may be needed.
The bridge carries 89,300 vehicles per day and is 77 years old (reconstructed in 1993).
Its sufficiency rating of 57.4 places it below the national average of 63.6.
The NBI records a navigation clearance of 41 feet — the minimum vertical space below the bridge deck. The total height of the bridge structure (including towers, railings, and superstructure) may be higher.
For travelers with bridge anxiety
This bridge has some features that may be challenging for travelers with bridge anxiety. See the tips below for a more comfortable crossing.
This bridge is 795 feet long — a moderate crossing, about 30 seconds.
A truss bridge — the steel framework can provide a sense of enclosure.
About 41 feet above ground — moderate height, similar to a 3-5 story building.
About 89,300 vehicles cross daily — heavy traffic, congestion likely during rush hours.
The deck is 55 feet wide with 3-4 lanes — standard width.
This bridge crosses over water. Focus on the road ahead — the water is far below.
This comfort score is designed to help individuals with bridge anxiety plan their travel. All bridges in the National Bridge Inventory are regularly inspected and deemed safe for travel. This is not medical advice — if you experience severe anxiety, please consult a healthcare professional.
Year Built
1949
77 years old (rebuilt 1993)
Structure Type
Steel Truss (Thru)
Total Length
795 ft
242.3 m
Deck Width
55 ft
16.9 m
Spans
1
sections between supports
Max Span
420 ft
longest unsupported section (128.0 m)
Traffic Lanes
3 lanes
One-way traffic
Clearance Below
41 ft
navigation clearance under deck
Clearance height compared to familiar objects
Height shown is the navigation clearance below the bridge deck. The total height of the bridge structure (including towers and superstructure) may be higher.
Daily Traffic
89,300vehicles/day
41.64212°N, 87.57857°W
Steel Truss (Thru)
A steel truss bridge uses a framework of interconnected triangular elements. The geometric rigidity of triangles makes this design extremely efficient at distributing loads.
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Data from the National Bridge Inventory (NBI), maintained by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
Data year: 2025. Conditions may have changed since the last inspection.
This information is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used as the sole basis for any decisions related to bridge safety or transportation planning. Always consult official sources and local authorities for the most current data.