Historic Bridges in Iowa

3,036 bridges built before 1951 in Iowa still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 3,036 bridges in Iowa 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
CREEK Iowa Fair 1900 126 49
CREEK Iowa Fair 1900 126 29
TEN MILE CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 118
CREEK Iowa Fair 1900 126 59
SMALL CREEK Iowa Fair 1900 126 26
SMALL RUNNING CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 29
CREEK Iowa Fair 1900 126 59
CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 39
CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 39
CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 29
CREEK Iowa Fair 1900 126 70
CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 70
CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 70
UPPER IOWA RIVER Iowa Poor 1900 126 49
CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 11
CANOE CREEK Iowa Fair 1900 126 11
CREEK Iowa Fair 1900 126 44
CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 108
CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 26
CREEK Iowa Fair 1900 126 15
CREEK Iowa Fair 1900 126
CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 20
CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 26
CREEK Iowa Fair 1900 126 33
NORTH BEAR CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 49
NORTH BEAR CREEK Iowa Fair 1900 126 78
CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 26
CANOE CREEK Iowa Fair 1900 126 26
CREEK Iowa Fair 1900 126 29
CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 29
DRAINAGE Iowa Poor 1900 126 15
CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 39
CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 5
CREEK Iowa Fair 1900 126 29
CREEK Iowa Fair 1900 126 29
FARMERS DITCH Iowa Poor 1900 126 30
ROCK CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 199
WRIGHT CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 20
STREAM Iowa Poor 1900 126 11
DRAINAGE DITCH Iowa Fair 1900 126 29
CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 46
DRAINAGE DITCH 111 Iowa Poor 1900 126 11
CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 47
DRAINAGE DITCH 121 Iowa Poor 1900 126 15
BROKEN KETTLE CK Iowa Poor 1900 126 15
STREAM-D.D.196 Iowa Poor 1900 126 748
TURKEY RIVER Iowa Fair 1900 126 33
BR OF CARRUTHERS CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 11
DR TO ENGLISH CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 21
NO BUSINESS CREEK Iowa Poor 1900 126 170

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.