Historic Bridges in Washington

1,188 bridges built before 1951 in Washington still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 1,188 bridges in Washington 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
WALLACE RIVER Washington Fair 1940 86 13,831
WENATCHEE RIVER Washington Poor 1940 86 1,805
MERCER SLOUGH Washington Poor 1940 86 74,410
COPPER CREEK Washington Fair 1940 86 20
COOKE CREEK Washington Good 1940 86 1,018
CRAB CREEK Washington Fair 1940 86 114
BIG TREE CREEK Washington Good 1940 86 2,255
BNSF RR Washington Poor 1940 86 6,344
GIBBONS CREEK Washington Fair 1940 86 3,097
CORBETT DRAW Washington Poor 1940 86 35
PALOUSE RIVER Washington Fair 1940 86 146
CRAB CREEK Washington Fair 1940 86 50
BAUER COULEE Washington Fair 1940 86 37
SHILSHOLE AVE NW Washington Fair 1940 86 52,000
SHIP CANAL RR Washington Fair 1940 86 52,000
ISSAQUAH CK. Washington Fair 1940 86 23,500
DAVIS CREEK Washington Good 1940 86 500
CORBETT CREEK Washington Fair 1940 86 50
LAKE SACAJAWEA Washington Fair 1940 86 3,133
Puget Sound & Pacific RR Washington Fair 1940 86 4,878
ALKALI FLAT CREEK Washington Fair 1940 86 174
Stearns Creek Washington Fair 1940 86 163
Stearns Creek Washington Fair 1940 86 238
STEARNS CREEK Washington Good 1940 86 238
SKAGIT RIVER Washington Fair 1940 86
STEVENS CREEK Washington Poor 1940 86 1,400
CLOVER CREEK Washington Fair 1940 86 100
CLOVER CREEK Washington Fair 1940 86 100
COLUMBIA R KETTLE FALLS Washington Fair 1941 85 4,342
SOL DUC RIVER Washington Fair 1941 85 3,278
SOL DUC RIVER Washington Poor 1941 85 3,278
GN RY Washington Fair 1941 85 4,986
GN RY Washington Fair 1941 85 11,076
SPOKANE RIVER Washington Fair 1941 85 887
AHTANUM CREEK Washington Fair 1941 85 8,981
NP RY & RAMP Washington Fair 1941 85 8,981
WIDE HOLLOW CREEK Washington Good 1941 85 14,370
GRANDE RONDE RIVER Washington Fair 1941 85 290
RR Washington Good 1941 85 1,051
DEEP CREEK Washington Fair 1941 85 7,571
TUNNEL CREEK Washington Good 1941 85 2,795
THORN CREEK Washington Good 1941 85 4,027
COTTONWOOD CREEK Washington Good 1941 85 4,027
KIMBALL CREEK Washington Good 1941 85 5,809
USIS MAIN CANAL Washington Fair 1941 85 170
LAY INLET / NELYAL CREEK Washington Fair 1941 85 900
SALMON CREEK Washington Fair 1941 85 2,946
ENTIAT RIVER Washington Fair 1941 85 1,583
CLARKS CREEK Washington Fair 1941 85 6,200
SNIPES CANAL Washington Fair 1941 85 1,060

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.