Red Covered Bridge

About

The Red Covered Bridge crosses Big Bureau Creek on County Road 1950 E, about a mile north of Princeton in Dover Township, Bureau County, Illinois. Until a semitrailer damaged it in November 2023, it was the only state-owned covered bridge in Illinois still open to traffic, carrying about 275 vehicles a day. It is closed while the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) repairs it.

History

The bridge was built in 1863 for $3,148.57, with oak and other lumber shipped from Chicago, and replaced a pontoon bridge that flooded during high water. It carried wagons and cattle on the trail between Peoria and Galena, and signs at each end set a $5 fine for driving more than 12 horses, mules or cattle across at once or leading animals faster than a walk. The state later took control of the bridge, and a 1963 state law requires IDOT to maintain it. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

The bridge survived an arson attempt in 1971, creek erosion in the 1990s and a cottonwood that high winds dropped across the north deck in 2003. A semitrailer struck an entrance in 2021. On November 16, 2023, another semi tore into the north end, partly collapsing the roof and damaging many truss members. IDOT shored the roof and closed the bridge.

Design

It is a one-lane, single-span Howe truss bridge. Dale Travis's covered bridge list and Wikipedia's list of Illinois covered bridges give its length as 93 feet, while Wikipedia's article and Roads & Bridges cite 149 feet.

Visiting

The bridge is a half-mile west of Illinois 26 on 1950 E Street. It has been closed to vehicles and pedestrians since the 2023 crash. In October 2026 IDOT said Helm Construction would begin repairs by the end of that month, replacing the roof, bracing, floor beams and siding, with the bridge reopening to local traffic after the first phase and all work finished by June 2027. Check IDOT's updates before you go.

Sources: Construction planned for the Red Covered Bridge in October (IDOT), Red Covered Bridge: fixing an antique (IDOT), Illinois Covered Bridges (Dale J. Travis), Red Covered Bridge (Wikipedia)