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.

Clear
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.