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
SPLIT ROCK CREEK Minnesota Fair 1937 89 3,278
N BR SUNRISE RIVER Minnesota Fair 1937 89 2,237
WINNEBAGO CREEK Minnesota Fair 1937 89 1,447
MOSQUITO CREEK Minnesota Poor 1937 89 35
LITTLE SIOUX RIVER Minnesota Poor 1937 89 35
MISSION CREEK Minnesota Fair 1937 89 2,000
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1937 89 4,137
THOMPSON CREEK Minnesota Fair 1937 89 4,137
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1937 89 1,496
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1937 89 1,496
S BR TWO RIVERS (DAM) Minnesota Fair 1937 89 140
WATER HEN CREEK Minnesota Poor 1937 89 125
PERCH CREEK Minnesota Fair 1937 89 40
LITTLE PINE RIVER Minnesota Fair 1937 89 10
HAY CREEK Minnesota Poor 1937 89 40
CHIPPEWA RIVER Minnesota Fair 1938 88 520
WATSON SAG CHANNEL Minnesota Fair 1938 88 308
MINN. RIV. Minnesota Fair 1938 88 330
DRY RUN Minnesota Fair 1938 88 10
ZULEGER CREEK Minnesota Fair 1938 88 1,100
CREDIT RIVER Minnesota Fair 1938 88 703
OTV RAILROAD Minnesota Fair 1938 88 1,700
BNSF RAIL Minnesota Good 1938 88 9,500
WILLOW RIVER Minnesota Fair 1938 88 1,118
SPLIT ROCK CREEK Minnesota Good 1938 88 60
COTTONWOOD RIVER Minnesota Fair 1938 88 1,300
MISSISSIPPI RIVER Minnesota Fair 1938 88 2,428
BALL CLUB RIVER Minnesota Fair 1938 88 3,039
BIG FORK RIVER Minnesota Fair 1938 88 380
ROSEAU RIVER Minnesota Fair 1938 88 5,400
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1938 88 802
GRAND PORTAGE CREEK Minnesota Fair 1938 88 300
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1938 88 2,434
PLATTE RIVER Minnesota Fair 1938 88 1,483
SILVER SPRING CREEK Minnesota Poor 1938 88 3,100
JUD DITCH # 11 Minnesota Fair 1938 88 55
SUCKER RIVER Minnesota Poor 1938 88 145
PETREL CREEK Minnesota Poor 1938 88 375
EAST TWO RIVERS Minnesota Poor 1938 88 40
SIMIAN CREEK Minnesota Fair 1938 88 415
HELLWIG CREEK Minnesota Fair 1938 88 5
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1938 88 276
PRAIRIE RIVER Minnesota Fair 1938 88 40
LE SUEUR RIVER Minnesota Fair 1938 88 5
STREAM Minnesota Good 1938 88 160
DITCH Minnesota Poor 1938 88 739
DRY RUN Minnesota Fair 1938 88 900
DRY RUN Minnesota Fair 1938 88 205
S BR N FK WHITEWATER R Minnesota Fair 1938 88 205
REDWOOD RIVER Minnesota Fair 1938 88 750

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.