Historic Bridges in Michigan

1,528 bridges built before 1951 in Michigan still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 1,528 bridges in Michigan 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
SPRING CREEK Michigan Poor 1936 90 893
PINE RIVER Michigan Fair 1936 90 5,634
SEVILLE SUMNER DRAIN Michigan Poor 1936 90 5,634
BUSH CREEK DRAIN Michigan Poor 1936 90 92
SHAD CREEK DRAIN Michigan Poor 1936 90 83
WOOLACE MARTN WALTERS DR Michigan Poor 1936 90 976
E BR ONTONAGON RIVER Michigan Fair 1936 90 1,658
LIBHART CREEK Michigan Poor 1936 90 1,093
DUNN CREEK Michigan Fair 1936 90 3,031
GRAND RIVER Michigan Fair 1936 90 3,758
CSX RR & CHICAGO DR Michigan Fair 1936 90 22,500
CARP RIVER Michigan Fair 1936 90 23,600
M-28 BR SILVER ST Michigan Fair 1936 90 120
FLAT ROCK CREEK Michigan Fair 1936 90 55
LITTLE GARLIC RIVER Michigan Fair 1936 90 20
LITTLE CEDAR RIVER Michigan Fair 1936 90 20
LITTLE SALT CREEK Michigan Poor 1936 90 90
SHANTEE CREEK Michigan Fair 1936 90 3,680
CLINTON RIVER Michigan Poor 1936 90 500
KLACKING CREEK Michigan Fair 1936 90 4,423
MATCH CREEK BURIED Michigan Fair 1936 90 1,331
BIRCH RUN CREEK Michigan Poor 1936 90 1,027
MILL CREEK Michigan Fair 1936 90 5,770
NS RR Michigan Good 1936 90 24,093
FRANK & POET DRAIN Michigan Fair 1936 90 14,984
SILVER CREEK Michigan Poor 1936 90 253
KALAMAZOO RIVER Michigan Fair 1937 89 9,000
SAGANING CREEK Michigan Fair 1937 89 7,706
LITTLE CARP RIVER Michigan Fair 1937 89 3,883
RYAN DRAIN Michigan Fair 1937 89 10,813
TEBO DRAIN Michigan Fair 1937 89 10,813
RAILROAD DRAIN Michigan Poor 1937 89 220
ELLIOT CREEK Michigan Fair 1937 89 977
RAPID RIVER Michigan Fair 1937 89 2,264
CROOKED RIVER Michigan Fair 1937 89 8,053
SHIAWASSEE RIVER Michigan Good 1937 89 108
KEARSLEY CREEK Michigan Poor 1937 89 215
JONES CREEK Michigan Poor 1937 89 197
BUTTERNUT CREEK Michigan Poor 1937 89 643
PINE RUN Michigan Fair 1937 89 4,394
FARM DRAIN Michigan Fair 1937 89 5,052
BIG PRESQUE ISLE RIVER Michigan Good 1937 89 1,100
MUD CREEK Michigan Poor 1937 89 3,876
RED CEDAR RIVER Michigan Poor 1937 89 18,646
COOKS RUN RIVER Michigan Fair 1937 89 1,090
NORTH BR CHIPPEWA RIVER Michigan Fair 1937 89 185
NORTH BR SALT RIVER Michigan Poor 1937 89 185
CONTRIB S BR SALT RIVER Michigan Poor 1937 89 185
NORTH BR CHIPPEWA RIVER Michigan Fair 1937 89 123
NORTH BR CHIPPEWA RIVER Michigan Poor 1937 89 123

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.