Historic Bridges in Michigan

1,528 bridges built before 1951 in Michigan still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 1,528 bridges in Michigan 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
POWDER MILL CREEK Michigan Fair 1930 96 910
BOARDMAN RIVER Michigan Fair 1930 96 5,020
PINE RIVER Michigan Fair 1930 96 9,548
DRAIN #96 Michigan Fair 1930 96 4,800
DRAIN #73 Michigan Fair 1930 96 4,800
BUSH CREEK DRAIN Michigan Poor 1930 96 88
BEEBE CREEK Michigan Fair 1930 96 1,927
SMITH DRAIN Michigan Fair 1930 96 1,230
BELLANY CREEK Michigan Fair 1930 96 5,147
SESSIONS CREEK Michigan Fair 1930 96 1,537
LEWIS DRAIN Michigan Poor 1930 96 6,140
KALAMAZOO RIVER Michigan Poor 1930 96 5,183
AUGUSTA CREEK Michigan Fair 1930 96 3,250
GRAND RIVER Michigan Fair 1930 96 21,410
THORNAPPLE RIVER Michigan Good 1930 96 11,887
INDIAN MILL CREEK Michigan Fair 1930 96 6,667
MADISON DRAIN Michigan Poor 1930 96 158
HURON RIVER Michigan Poor 1930 96 300
RABBITS BACK CREEK Michigan Fair 1930 96 2,020
CLEAR CREEK Michigan Fair 1930 96 350
MUD CREEK Michigan Fair 1930 96 60
SAND RIVER Michigan Fair 1930 96 60
MICHIGAMME RIVER Michigan Poor 1930 96 126
ESCANABA RIVER OVERFLOW Michigan Fair 1930 96 10
HUNTERS BROOK Michigan Fair 1930 96 70
NELSON CREEK Michigan Fair 1930 96 40
BLUFF CREEK Michigan Poor 1930 96 1,430
WEEKS DRAIN Michigan Poor 1930 96 51
SWAMP RAISIN CREEK Michigan Poor 1930 96 50
LOCKWOOD DRAIN Michigan Poor 1930 96 130
TAMARACK CREEK Michigan Fair 1930 96 570
CROCKERY CREEK Michigan Fair 1930 96 1,675
INDIANWOOD LAKE CANAL Michigan Good 1930 96 150
GRAND TRUNK WESTERN RR Michigan Poor 1930 96 1,952
RIVER ROUGE Michigan Good 1930 96 7,976
HOUGHTON CREEK Michigan Good 1930 96 2,679
BLACK RIVER Michigan Fair 1930 96 14,315
LITTLE TROUT RIVER Michigan Poor 1930 96 30
S BR CASS RIVER I/C DRN Michigan Poor 1930 96 2,754
SMALLDON DRAIN Michigan Fair 1930 96 610
BEALS & FRIZZLE DRAIN Michigan Fair 1930 96 610
MIDDLE BR DRAIN Michigan Poor 1930 96 742
S BR CASS RIVER I/C DRN Michigan Fair 1930 96 1,023
ELK CREEK DRAIN Michigan Fair 1930 96 565
POTTS DRAIN Michigan Fair 1930 96 225
S BR CASS RIVER I/C DRN Michigan Fair 1930 96 150
BRICE DRAIN Michigan Fair 1930 96 150
NORTHWOOD CREEK Michigan Poor 1930 96 1,409
RUSHBED CREEK Michigan Poor 1930 96 144
RATTLE RUN CREEK Michigan Fair 1930 96 300

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.