Historic Bridges in Minnesota

1,035 bridges built before 1951 in Minnesota still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 1,035 bridges in Minnesota 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
JUD DITCH # 19 Minnesota Fair 1935 91 1,100
FOREST PRAIRIE CREEK Minnesota Fair 1935 91 19
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1935 91 475
ARTICHOKE RIVER Minnesota Fair 1935 91 465
S FK ZUMBRO RIVER Minnesota Fair 1935 91 312
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1935 91 739
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1935 91 840
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1935 91 840
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1935 91 68
MORGAN CREEK Minnesota Fair 1935 91 2,800
MINNEOPA CREEK Minnesota Fair 1935 91 33
MINNEOPA CREEK Minnesota Fair 1935 91 23
COBB CREEK Minnesota Fair 1935 91 20
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1935 91 66
PINE ISLAND CREEK Minnesota Fair 1935 91 53
PINE ISLAND CREEK Minnesota Fair 1935 91 88
STREAM Minnesota Good 1935 91 22
KETTLE RIVER Minnesota Poor 1935 91 278
KETTLE RIVER Minnesota Good 1935 91 51
HASTY BROOK Minnesota Poor 1935 91 1
WEISEL CREEK Minnesota Fair 1935 91 44
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1935 91 3
CANFIELD CREEK Minnesota Fair 1935 91 12
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1935 91 56
JORDAN CREEK Minnesota Fair 1935 91 24
ETNA CREEK Minnesota Fair 1935 91 44
S BR ROOT RIVER Minnesota Fair 1935 91 51
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1935 91 32
STREAM Minnesota Poor 1935 91 60
TURTLE CREEK Minnesota Fair 1935 91 18
CO DITCH # 20 Minnesota Fair 1935 91 6
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1936 90 3,278
EIGHTEEN MILE CREEK Minnesota Fair 1936 90 1,155
MILLIKEN CREEK Minnesota Fair 1936 90 2,273
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1936 90 1,496
CHAN BETWEEN TWO LAKES Minnesota Fair 1936 90 2,851
ZULEGER CREEK Minnesota Fair 1936 90 1,100
OTTER CREEK Minnesota Fair 1936 90 7,626
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1936 90 1,575
FLANDREAU CREEK Minnesota Fair 1936 90 1,223
HAZEL CREEK (CD #9) Minnesota Fair 1936 90 307
BNSF CEDAR LK; 23RD Minnesota Fair 1936 90 116,215
CP RAIL Minnesota Fair 1936 90 3,400
CP RAIL Minnesota Fair 1936 90 3,851
BNSF RR Minnesota Fair 1936 90 18,784
UP RR Minnesota Fair 1936 90 2,464
BNSF RR Minnesota Good 1936 90 885
S BR YELLOW MEDICINE R Minnesota Fair 1936 90 1,450
BNSF RR Minnesota Fair 1936 90 21,700
CLEARWATER RIVER Minnesota Fair 1936 90 3,260

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.