Historic Bridges in South Dakota
1,118 bridges built before 1951 in South Dakota still in service today.
Bridges Built Before 1951
The United States has 1,118 bridges in South Dakota 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.
| Bridge | State | Condition | Year Built | Age (Years) | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUD CREEK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 98 |
| CREEK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 98 |
| CROW CREEK DITCH | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 97 |
| CREEK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 98 |
| CREEK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 98 |
| CK | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 80 |
| SPRING CREEK | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 10 |
| CREEK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 48 |
| CREEK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 48 |
| CREEK | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 48 |
| CREEK | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 48 |
| GREASY HORN CREEK | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 287 |
| CREEK | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 289 |
| CLAY CK | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 35 |
| CK | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 97 |
| BAPTIST CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 15 |
| BIG SIOUX RIVER | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 5,053 |
| HAY CREEK | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 15 |
| ENEMY CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 64 |
| ENEMY CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 15 |
| DRY RUN CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 47 |
| DRY RUN CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 25 |
| CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 40 |
| CREEK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 10 |
| ANTELOPE CREEK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 10 |
| CREEK | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 385 |
| CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 40 |
| CK | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 2,034 |
| CK | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 2,034 |
| CK | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 2,034 |
| CK | South Dakota | Good | 1935 | 91 | 2,034 |
| CK | South Dakota | Good | 1935 | 91 | 2,034 |
| CK | South Dakota | Good | 1935 | 91 | 2,034 |
| CK | South Dakota | Good | 1935 | 91 | 2,034 |
| SHAEFER CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 15 |
| SHAEFER CK | South Dakota | Good | 1935 | 91 | 25 |
| CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 10 |
| CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 15 |
| SOUTH BR DRY CK | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 69 |
| DRY CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 35 |
| DAWSON CREEK | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 241 |
| LONETREE CK | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 88 |
| PLUM CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 69 |
| SOUTH BR LONETREE CK | South Dakota | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 45 |
| CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 15 |
| CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 35 |
| UNNAMED CREEK | South Dakota | Good | 1935 | 91 | 27 |
| COTTONWOOD CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 10 |
| SOUTH FORK BAD RIVER | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 11 |
| OUTLET FOR LAKE SPILLWAY | South Dakota | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 35 |
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.