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
DITCH Minnesota Fair 1938 88 720
DITCH Minnesota Fair 1938 88 155
ST JAMES CREEK Minnesota Good 1938 88 100
CO DITCH # 1 Minnesota Poor 1938 88 88
MID FK CROW RIVER Minnesota Good 1938 88 205
MAYHEW CREEK Minnesota Fair 1938 88 660
CO DITCH # 57 Minnesota Fair 1938 88 100
TRIB GERNANDER CREEK Minnesota Fair 1938 88 220
STREAM Minnesota Poor 1938 88 517
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1938 88 49
CHASKA CREEK Minnesota Fair 1938 88 2,431
CAMP CREEK Minnesota Fair 1938 88 14
PRAIRIE RIVER Minnesota Fair 1938 88 35
CREEK Minnesota Good 1938 88 54
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1938 88 50
PLUM CREEK Minnesota Fair 1938 88 65
STREAM Minnesota Good 1938 88 33
BUNKER HILL CREEK Minnesota Fair 1939 87 60
OTV RAILROAD Minnesota Fair 1939 87 8,700
SPLIT ROCK CREEK Minnesota Fair 1939 87 3,974
BNSF RR Minnesota Poor 1939 87 7,229
RED RIVER OF THE NORTH Minnesota Poor 1939 87 205
CROOKED CREEK Minnesota Fair 1939 87 1,839
CROOKED CREEK Minnesota Fair 1939 87 1,567
CREDIT RIVER Minnesota Fair 1939 87 54,000
CRYSTAL CREEK Minnesota Poor 1939 87 1,564
S BR BUFFALO RIVER Minnesota Fair 1939 87 2,182
S BR BUFFALO R Minnesota Poor 1939 87 8,105
RED RIVER OF THE NORTH Minnesota Fair 1939 87 330
STRAIGHT RIVER (JD # 2) Minnesota Fair 1939 87 1,741
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1939 87 3,039
MUSTINKA RIVER Minnesota Fair 1939 87 1,075
SAND CREEK Minnesota Fair 1939 87 480
STONE RIVER Minnesota Fair 1939 87 45
STONE RIVER Minnesota Fair 1939 87 30
STONE RIVER Minnesota Fair 1939 87 10
STONE RIVER Minnesota Fair 1939 87 3
WATSON CREEK Minnesota Fair 1939 87 105
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1939 87 135
WOODBURY CREEK Minnesota Fair 1939 87 260
N FK WATONWAN RIVER Minnesota Good 1939 87 522
WATONWAN RIVER Minnesota Fair 1939 87 156
CANBY CREEK Minnesota Fair 1939 87 16
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1939 87 154
DITCH Minnesota Good 1939 87 370
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1939 87 42
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1939 87 42
EAST BURNS CREEK Minnesota Poor 1939 87 2,250
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1939 87 50
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1939 87 50

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.