Historic Bridges in Montana

662 bridges built before 1951 in Montana still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 662 bridges in Montana 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
BUTTE CREEK Montana Fair 1950 76 158
MORRELL CREEK Montana Good 1950 76 2,758
SPRING COULEE Montana Fair 1950 76 154
HAY CREEK Montana Poor 1950 76 88
HORSE CREEK Montana Fair 1950 76 198
DENWOODY CREEK Montana Fair 1950 76 104
HORSE CREEK Montana Fair 1950 76 104
HORSE CREEK Montana Fair 1950 76 57
REDWATER RIVER Montana Poor 1950 76 420
BOULDER RIVER Montana Fair 1950 76 529
SMITH RIVER Montana Fair 1950 76 294
LITTLE BIGHORN RIVER Montana Fair 1950 76 382

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.