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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STREAM | Illinois | Poor | 1921 | 105 | 10 |
| UNNAMED STREAM | Illinois | Poor | 1921 | 105 | 10 |
| BEAR CRK. | Illinois | Poor | 1922 | 104 | 75 |
| BRUSHY BRANCH | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 50 |
| BEAR CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1922 | 104 | 50 |
| RACCOON CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1922 | 104 | 25 |
| QUEENS LAKE | Illinois | Poor | 1922 | 104 | 2,000 |
| LAKE BRANCH | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 4,650 |
| E Trib to Beaver Crk | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 4,700 |
| DES PLAINES RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 16,500 |
| LITTLE CAL RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 27,200 |
| WILLOW CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 7,700 |
| S BR CHICAGO RIV | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 12,100 |
| MAIN BR CHICAGO RIV | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 10,500 |
| UNION STA TRACK | Illinois | Good | 1922 | 104 | 12,100 |
| BELL BRANCH | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 25 |
| TRIB MUDDY CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 375 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 550 |
| Halltown Creek | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 50 |
| BRONSON CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 25 |
| OLD TOM CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1922 | 104 | 200 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 125 |
| IRISH HOLLOW CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 75 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 1,750 |
| FOX RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 3,550 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Poor | 1922 | 104 | 1,700 |
| PRAIRIE CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1922 | 104 | 50 |
| BAKER RUN | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 50 |
| DEER CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 25 |
| TRIB LAKE FORK | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 17,450 |
| BLUE CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1922 | 104 | 25 |
| BLUE CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1922 | 104 | 25 |
| TURKEY CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 25 |
| RICHLAND CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1922 | 104 | 375 |
| BANKSTON FORK | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 550 |
| ROBINSON CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 10 |
| LONG GROVE CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 300 |
| FLAT BRANCH | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 50 |
| GRINDSTONE CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 3,250 |
| FORKED CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 7,950 |
| FORKED CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 4,150 |
| TRIB JACKSON CRK | Illinois | Good | 1922 | 104 | 700 |
| SUGAR RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 350 |
| MILL CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 100 |
| BRANCH OF BEAVER CR | Illinois | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 10 |
| PIKE CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 100 |
| BECKS CR. TRIB. | Illinois | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 6,600 |
| LONG BRANCH | Illinois | Poor | 1923 | 103 | 1,300 |
| E FK WET WEATHER CR | Illinois | Poor | 1923 | 103 | 50 |
| SHOAL CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 4,350 |
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.