Historic Bridges in Illinois
3,065 bridges built before 1951 in Illinois still in service today.
Bridges Built Before 1951
The United States has 3,065 bridges in Illinois 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.
| Bridge | State | Condition | Year Built | Age (Years) | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LITTLE CALUMET RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1915 | 111 | 8,050 |
| FLAT CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1915 | 111 | 50 |
| TRIB HURRICANE CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1915 | 111 | 20 |
| BEAR CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1915 | 111 | 25 |
| LA MOINE RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1915 | 111 | 100 |
| SPILLMAN CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1915 | 111 | 50 |
| SHIPE CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1915 | 111 | 50 |
| S HENDERSON CR | Illinois | Poor | 1915 | 111 | 25 |
| TRIB. TO IROQ. RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1915 | 111 | 250 |
| SPRING CR | Illinois | Poor | 1915 | 111 | 50 |
| BR COON CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1915 | 111 | 25 |
| RAVINE | Illinois | Fair | 1915 | 111 | 3,750 |
| TRIB SUGAR CR | Illinois | Poor | 1915 | 111 | 10 |
| HORSE CRK | Illinois | Fair | 1915 | 111 | 50 |
| SKILLET FORK | Illinois | Fair | 1915 | 111 | 75 |
| MIDDLE FK MCKEE TRIB | Illinois | Poor | 1915 | 111 | 25 |
| TRIB OF KISER CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1915 | 111 | 25 |
| LITTLE MARYS RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1915 | 111 | 575 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Poor | 1915 | 111 | 300 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Poor | 1915 | 111 | 50 |
| BR OF YELLOW CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1915 | 111 | 25 |
| BR OF LOCUST CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1915 | 111 | 150 |
| BR NORTH CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1915 | 111 | 10 |
| Br of Elkhorn Creek | Illinois | Poor | 1915 | 111 | 25 |
| EAGLE SLOUGH DRAINAG | Illinois | Poor | 1915 | 111 | 10 |
| WILLOW BRANCH | Illinois | Poor | 1915 | 111 | 50 |
| KEITH CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1915 | 111 | 9,300 |
| MCCRANEY CRK | Illinois | Poor | 1916 | 110 | 75 |
| GILHAM CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1916 | 110 | 225 |
| East Johnson Creek | Illinois | Poor | 1916 | 110 | 25 |
| BEAR CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1916 | 110 | 20 |
| LOST CK | Illinois | Poor | 1916 | 110 | 50 |
| S BR CHICAGO RIV | Illinois | Poor | 1916 | 110 | 2,275 |
| S BR CHICAGO RIV | Illinois | Poor | 1916 | 110 | 10,250 |
| N BR CHICAGO RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1916 | 110 | 4,600 |
| UNION STATION RR TRK | Illinois | Good | 1916 | 110 | 7,600 |
| BUSH CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1916 | 110 | 25 |
| CLAYPOOL DR DITCH | Illinois | Poor | 1916 | 110 | 100 |
| LOUIS CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1916 | 110 | 75 |
| COON CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1916 | 110 | 25 |
| COON CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1916 | 110 | 25 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Illinois | Fair | 1916 | 110 | 75 |
| TRIB TO SPRING CR | Illinois | Fair | 1916 | 110 | 50 |
| TRIB POND GROVE CK | Illinois | Fair | 1916 | 110 | 1,400 |
| FURNACECREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1916 | 110 | 50 |
| HELLS BRANCH | Illinois | Poor | 1916 | 110 | 25 |
| MID FK N BR CHI RIV | Illinois | Fair | 1916 | 110 | 2,650 |
| INDIAN CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1916 | 110 | 200 |
| MENDOTA CR | Illinois | Poor | 1916 | 110 | 100 |
| BRUSHY FORK | Illinois | Poor | 1916 | 110 | 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.