Historic Bridges in New Hampshire

716 bridges built before 1951 in New Hampshire still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 716 bridges in New Hampshire 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
MINNEWAWA BROOK New Hampshire Poor 1939 87 1,191
STONY BROOK New Hampshire Good 1939 87 1,978
CONTOOCOOK RIVER New Hampshire Fair 1939 87 4,746
MOUNTAIN BROOK New Hampshire Fair 1939 87 8,225
CONTOOCOOK RIVER New Hampshire Fair 1939 87 68
S BRANCH BAKER RIVER New Hampshire Good 1939 87 96
S BRANCH ISRAEL RIVER New Hampshire Fair 1939 87 96
S BRANCH ISRAEL RIVER New Hampshire Fair 1939 87 96
SHAKER BROOK New Hampshire Fair 1939 87 609
TOWN LINE BROOK New Hampshire Good 1939 87 1,802
RICKERS BROOK New Hampshire Good 1939 87 7,961
BAILEY BROOK New Hampshire Fair 1939 87 1,215
CHOCORUA RIVER New Hampshire Good 1939 87 7,502
MEADOW BROOK New Hampshire Fair 1939 87 96
PISCATAQUOG RIVER New Hampshire Fair 1939 87 7,831
PEMIGEWASSET RIVER New Hampshire Poor 1939 87 674
MERRYMEETING RIVER New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 2,614
BEAVER BROOK New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 6,868
WEST BRANCH BELA BROOK New Hampshire Good 1940 86 7,414
SMITH RIVER New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 2,181
CHURCHILL BROOK New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 96
NISSITISSIT RIVER New Hampshire Good 1940 86 524
RYAN BROOK New Hampshire Poor 1940 86 96
CONWAY LAKE OUTLET New Hampshire Good 1940 86 1,629
PEQUAWKET POND New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 19,487
MILL BROOK New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 641
SMITH RIVER New Hampshire Poor 1940 86 2,913
BROOK New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 96
RAND BROOK New Hampshire Poor 1940 86 96
WINNIPESAUKEE RIVER New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 14,205
GUNSTOCK RIVER New Hampshire Good 1940 86 322
COLD BROOK New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 96
GUNNISON BROOK New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 1,012
GUNNISON BROOK New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 1,012
MINK BROOK New Hampshire Good 1940 86 96
BROOK New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 1,167
CLARK BROOK New Hampshire Good 1940 86 3,734
NEEDLE SHOP BROOK New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 2,664
ASHUELOT RIVER New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 1,937
WHITE BROOK New Hampshire Poor 1940 86 826
NHRR New Hampshire Poor 1940 86 510
GREAT BROOK New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 96
GRANT BROOK New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 1,132
CANAL OUTLET New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 25
RED HILL RIVER New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 9,873
S BR PISCATAQUOG RIVER New Hampshire Good 1940 86 440
BLAKE BROOK New Hampshire Good 1940 86 96
ARCHERTOWN BROOK New Hampshire Poor 1940 86 96
LOVELL RIVER New Hampshire Fair 1940 86 96
DAN HOLE RIVER New Hampshire Good 1940 86 22

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.