Historic Bridges in Iowa

3,036 bridges built before 1951 in Iowa still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 3,036 bridges in Iowa 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
STREAM Iowa Poor 1915 111 20
ROCK CREEK Iowa Poor 1915 111 30
FIDDLE CREEK Iowa Poor 1915 111 20
FIDDLE CREEK Iowa Poor 1915 111 20
LITTLE SIOUX RIVER Iowa Poor 1915 111 62
SCHNEIDERS CREEK Iowa Fair 1915 111 41
SNY MAGILL CREEK Iowa Fair 1915 111 35
BR NORTH RACCOON RIVER Iowa Fair 1915 111 40
LONG CREEK Iowa Poor 1915 111 15
COULEE Iowa Poor 1915 111 44
BRANCH WOLF CREEK Iowa Poor 1915 111 44
LOCAL STREAM Iowa Fair 1915 111 51
RED ROCK CREEK Iowa Poor 1915 111 104
BURR OAK CREEK Iowa Poor 1915 111 51
TROY CREEK Iowa Poor 1915 111 5
PICAYUNE CR Iowa Poor 1915 111 10
N BR OLD MANS CR Iowa Fair 1915 111 35
BRADLEY CR Iowa Poor 1915 111 31
BR OLD MANS CR Iowa Poor 1915 111 5
STREAM Iowa Poor 1915 111 21
N BR NORTH RIVER Iowa Poor 1915 111 50
SNIPE CREEK Iowa Poor 1915 111 51
MINERVA CREEK Iowa Poor 1915 111 15
BEAVER CREEK Iowa Poor 1915 111 29
WATERMAN CR Iowa Poor 1915 111
DD Iowa Poor 1915 111 41
STREAM Iowa Poor 1915 111 5
WALNUT CREEK Iowa Poor 1915 111 26
WALNUT CREEK Iowa Fair 1915 111 50
EAST INDIAN CREEK Iowa Fair 1915 111 26
KEIGLEY BRANCH Iowa Fair 1915 111 30
BROADHORN CREEK Iowa Poor 1915 111 46
KNACK CREEK Iowa Poor 1915 111 46
TROUT CREEK Iowa Poor 1915 111 33
CREEK Iowa Poor 1915 111 29
STREAM Iowa Poor 1915 111 80
DRAINAGE DITCH Iowa Fair 1915 111 10
DRAINAGE DITCH Iowa Good 1915 111 26
STREAM Iowa Fair 1916 110 1,110
BEAVER CREEK Iowa Fair 1916 110 40
BR IOWAY CREEK Iowa Poor 1916 110 20
CREEK Iowa Poor 1916 110 15
WEST FORK LITTLE SIOUX Iowa Poor 1916 110 11
BEAR CREEK Iowa Poor 1916 110 45
MINERS CREEK Iowa Poor 1916 110 39
STREAM Iowa Fair 1916 110 11
WOLF CREEK Iowa Poor 1916 110 16
STREAM Iowa Poor 1916 110 16
WELDON CREEK Iowa Poor 1916 110 26
BRUCE CREEK Iowa Poor 1916 110 88

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.