Historic Bridges in Illinois

3,065 bridges built before 1951 in Illinois still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 3,065 bridges in Illinois built before 1951 that remain in active service. These structures are 75+ years old — many predate modern engineering codes and were not designed for today's traffic volumes and vehicle weights. The average design life of a bridge is 50 years, making these aging structures a significant infrastructure concern.

Clear
Bridge State Condition Year Built Age (Years) ADT
BUREAU CREEK Illinois Poor 1863 163 275
AUX SABLE CR Illinois Fair 1873 153 200
MISS RIV/RR/MSS6000 Illinois Fair 1874 152 6,550
MAEYSTOWN CREEK Illinois Fair 1881 145 1,550
BAY CREEK Illinois Fair 1885 141 225
E FORK PLUM RIVER Illinois Poor 1886 140 25
APPLE CREEK Illinois Good 1890 136 25
BR OF OAT CREEK Illinois Poor 1890 136 25
TRIB TO KANKAKEE R. Illinois Fair 1890 136 550
JACKSON PK LAGOON IN Illinois Fair 1891 135 36,700
RILEY CREEK Illinois Fair 1893 133 150
STREAM Illinois Poor 1893 133 25
FARM CREEK Illinois Poor 1894 132 150
S BRANCH BROUILLETTS Illinois Poor 1895 131 75
LITTLE WABASH RIVER Illinois Good 1895 131 225
OPPOSSUM CK. Illinois Fair 1895 131 75
E BR PANTHER CR Illinois Good 1895 131 25
US67 MISSRVR L&D15 CPRR Illinois Fair 1896 130 18,000
N BR CHICAGO RIVER Illinois Fair 1896 130 17,600
STONY CREEK Illinois Good 1896 130 9,800
DUCKS MISERY Illinois Fair 1897 129 225
EAST BRANCH Illinois Fair 1897 129 25
GRINDSTONE CREEK Illinois Fair 1898 128 75
LAKE FORK Illinois Poor 1898 128 10
CEDAR CREEK Illinois Fair 1898 128 75
MILL CREEK Illinois Fair 1899 127 500
CURTIS CREEK Illinois Good 1899 127 2,900
KING CREEK Illinois Poor 1899 127 10
BR E FORK PLUM RIVER Illinois Poor 1899 127 50
STREAM Illinois Fair 1899 127 10
TOWN CREEK Illinois Good 1899 127 50
CREEK Illinois Fair 1899 127 275
Trib Tournear Creek Illinois Fair 1900 126 20
CROOKED CREEK Illinois Fair 1900 126 50
BRUSHY CRK Illinois Fair 1900 126 50
THURMAN CREEK Illinois Fair 1900 126 50
TOURMEAL CRK Illinois Fair 1900 126 150
TOURMEAL CRK Illinois Fair 1900 126 100
MILL CREEK Illinois Fair 1900 126 575
JENKINS CREEK Illinois Fair 1900 126 100
OAK CR Illinois Fair 1900 126 50
BEAR CRK Illinois Fair 1900 126 75
BRANCH OF MCKEE CRK Illinois Fair 1900 126 100
PIGEON ROOST CREEK Illinois Fair 1900 126 350
UNNAMED CRK Illinois Good 1900 126 3,200
BR LOGAN CREEK Illinois Poor 1900 126 25
ROCKY CREEK Illinois Fair 1900 126 100
STAR DITCH Illinois Fair 1900 126 50
NORTH FORK Illinois Poor 1900 126 25
LITTLE MISSOURI Illinois Poor 1900 126 75

About Historic Bridge Data

Bridges built before 1951 are classified as historic in this database. Many were designed to 1940s standards with lower load limits and narrower lanes. While FHWA requires regular inspections of all bridges regardless of age, older structures often require more frequent monitoring and rehabilitation investment.