Historic Bridges in Wisconsin
1,333 bridges built before 1951 in Wisconsin still in service today.
Bridges Built Before 1951
The United States has 1,333 bridges in Wisconsin 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E BR ROOT RIVER CANAL | Wisconsin | Poor | 1939 | 87 | 5,500 |
| EAU GALLE RIVER | Wisconsin | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 981 |
| KINNICKINNIC RIVER | Wisconsin | Good | 1939 | 87 | 1,688 |
| CMSTPP RR | Wisconsin | Poor | 1939 | 87 | 150 |
| ONEILL CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 5,200 |
| NORTH STAR HOLLOW CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 210 |
| SHAW HOLLOW CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 210 |
| BR KICKAPOO RIVER | Wisconsin | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 210 |
| GREGORY BRANCH | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 3,300 |
| SPRING VALLEY CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 379 |
| BR TROUT RUN CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 80 |
| CRAWFISH RIVER | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 5,400 |
| SILVER CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 50 |
| LRD CROSS & 2ND ST -MISS | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 7,750 |
| PECATONICA RIVER | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 387 |
| TIBBET CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 750 |
| BARABOO RIVER | Wisconsin | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 292 |
| M BR EMBARRASS RIVER | Wisconsin | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 1,500 |
| STONY CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 4,800 |
| WAUPACA RIVER | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 2,900 |
| UPPER PINE CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 100 |
| BR HAY RIVER | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 50 |
| BR RED CEDAR RIVER | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 3,400 |
| BR RED CEDAR RIVER | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 50 |
| LIGHTNING CREEK | Wisconsin | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 25 |
| YELLOW RIVER | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 50 |
| BR SUAMICO RIVER | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 257 |
| BIG ELK CREEK | Wisconsin | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 330 |
| CN RR | Wisconsin | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 69 |
| FOX RIVER | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 177 |
| WILDCAT CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 58 |
| WILDCAT CREEK | Wisconsin | Good | 1940 | 86 | 58 |
| MIDDLE RIVER | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 107 |
| FALL CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 367 |
| W BR MILWAUKEE RIVER | Wisconsin | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 47 |
| MILWAUKEE RIVER | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 60 |
| DOUGHERTY CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 105 |
| BR NORWEGIAN CREEK | Wisconsin | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 680 |
| BR SUGAR RIVER | Wisconsin | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 710 |
| E PECATONICA RIVER | Wisconsin | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 350 |
| NORWAY HOLLOW CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 41 |
| MORREY CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 52 |
| BREWERY CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 156 |
| ROARING CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 24 |
| SKUTLEY CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 94 |
| SKUTLEY CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 47 |
| SQUAW CREEK | Wisconsin | Good | 1940 | 86 | 58 |
| ROARING CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 160 |
| DUCK CREEK | Wisconsin | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 58 |
| DUCK CREEK | Wisconsin | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 23 |
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.