Historic Bridges in Texas

8,191 bridges built before 1951 in Texas still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 8,191 bridges in Texas 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
DRAW Texas Fair 1940 86 300
NAILS CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 7,711
PENNINGTON CREEK Texas Good 1940 86 5,276
BIG SANDY CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 5,276
FRENCH JOHN CREEK Texas Good 1940 86 5,276
SAN FERNANDO CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 19
BOIS D ARC CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 38,890
MESQUITE CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 40,078
LITTLE COTTONWOOD CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 38,890
COTTONWOOD CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 22,574
BIG DRY CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 13,873
CACTUS CREEK Texas Good 1940 86 28,371
ELM CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 25,198
COLLIER CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 18,176
RINARD CREEK TRIB Texas Good 1940 86 929
SHOAL CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 7,577
WALLER CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 3,855
SHOAL CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 5,294
DRAIN Texas Good 1940 86 6,038
DRAW Texas Fair 1940 86 1,067
NORTH SAN GABRIEL RIVER Texas Fair 1940 86 6,405
SOUTH SAN GABRIEL RIVER Texas Fair 1940 86 19,200
PADILLA CREEK Texas Good 1940 86 2,448
MILE AND A HALF CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 2,448
WILLOW CREEK Texas Good 1940 86 2,448
LAGUNILLAS CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 40
LAGUNILLAS CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 70
MEDINA RIVER Texas Poor 1940 86 38
SHERER CREEK Texas Good 1940 86 27,621
BIG SOUS CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 27,621
E BRANCH BIG SOUS CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 27,621
LUCAS CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 53,929
POTRANCO CREEK Texas Fair 1940 86 53,929
DRAIN Texas Fair 1940 86 72,180
UP RR & Local Streets Texas Fair 1940 86 24,207
Rosillo Creek Texas Fair 1940 86 11,479
APACHE CREEK TRIB Texas Fair 1940 86 1,144
DRAW Texas Good 1940 86 1,827
DRAW Texas Fair 1940 86 2,494
DRAW Texas Fair 1940 86 130
DRAINAGE DITCH Texas Good 1940 86 27,534
DRAW Texas Good 1940 86 2,607
SMITH BRANCH Texas Fair 1940 86 855
DRAW Texas Fair 1940 86 114
CYPRESS CREEK Texas Good 1940 86 195
Nueces River Texas Fair 1940 86 1,342
Draw Texas Good 1940 86 1,342
DRAW Texas Good 1940 86 27,534
HONDO CREEK RELIEF Texas Fair 1940 86 14,541
IRRIGATION CANAL Texas Fair 1940 86 22,100

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.