Nearly 200 Bridges In Illinois Need An Overhaul
By Chuck Sudo in News on Sep 16, 2013 10:00PM
An analysis of the National Bridge Inventory by The Associated Press showed 65,605 were deemed "structurally deficient," 20,808 are "fracture critical," and 7,795 bridges fit both categories. In Illinois, 200 bridges met the guidelines for both categories, ranging from a span over the Des Plaines River south of Joliet along Interstate 80 to overpasses in Chicago like the notorious Western Avenue viaduct over Belmont Avenue and another bridge on Western over the Cal-Sag Channel in Blue Island.
The problem is compounded by the state’s budget crunch and IDOT officials are focusing on the spans with the heaviest traffic load for first repairs. Keith Brandau, a Champaign-based structural engineer for the firm Fehr Graham who has helped inspect bridges for local governments in Illinois, told the Daily Herald the AP study should be “a wakeup call.” Joseph Schofer, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Northwestern University, said there’s nothing to be overly concerned about by the study.
Illinois Bureau of Bridges and Structures chief Carl Puzey agreed, citing his agency’s detailed inspections process of the state’s bridges. "In very rare cases, if it's necessary to ensure the safety of the traveling public, we will close the bridge. So, if a bridge is open, it's safe," he said.
A 2011 study showed one in every 12 bridges in Illinois to be structurally deficient and Cook County had 162 bridges in need of an overhaul.