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.
| 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.