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
BRENT RUN Michigan Good 1938 88 1,795
CEDAR CREEK Michigan Fair 1938 88 1,090
PINE RIVER Michigan Good 1938 88 5,225
NEW RIVER Michigan Fair 1938 88 50
GOOSE CREEK Michigan Poor 1938 88 2,173
S BRANCH KALAMAZOO RIVER Michigan Poor 1938 88 150
YELLOW RIVER DRAIN Michigan Fair 1938 88 2,030
NORTH ORE CREEK Michigan Poor 1938 88 670
PORTAGE CREEK Michigan Poor 1938 88 80
CANADIAN NATIONAL RR Michigan Poor 1938 88 4,114
MICHIGAMME RIVER Michigan Fair 1938 88 1,850
TROUT FALLS CREEK Michigan Poor 1938 88 140
WELDON CREEK Michigan Fair 1938 88 5,307
PRAIRIE CREEK Michigan Fair 1938 88 16,168
JO DRAIN Michigan Poor 1938 88 202
JO DRAIN Michigan Poor 1938 88 51
ANN ARBOR RR Michigan Fair 1938 88 11,702
NS & GTW RR Michigan Poor 1938 88 3,200
CLINTON RIVER Michigan Fair 1938 88 22,953
HUFTILE CREEK Michigan Good 1938 88 400
WAPATO CREEK Michigan Poor 1938 88 1,845
BIG IRON RIVER Michigan Poor 1938 88 831
MIDDLE BRANCH RIVER Michigan Fair 1938 88 4,707
MIDDLE BRANCH RIVER Michigan Good 1938 88 1,850
FOX RIVER Michigan Fair 1938 88 225
PORTER CREEK Michigan Poor 1938 88 135
BELLE RIVER Michigan Fair 1938 88 7,474
ST CLAIR RIVER CN RR Michigan Good 1938 88 7,234
FRANK & POET DRAIN Michigan Poor 1938 88 20,187
SAND RIVER Michigan Fair 1939 87 3,093
LAUGHING WHITEFISH RIVER Michigan Good 1939 87 3,093
CONSOLIDATED RAIL CORP Michigan Fair 1939 87 2,222
LONG LAKE CREEK Michigan Fair 1939 87 4,816
LWR S BR THUNDER BAY RIV Michigan Fair 1939 87 1,850
THUNDER BAY RIVER Michigan Fair 1939 87 15,700
LAKE RUTH Michigan Fair 1939 87 2,625
HIGH BANK CREEK Michigan Fair 1939 87 3,239
OX CREEK Michigan Fair 1939 87 3,900
COLDWATER RIVER Michigan Good 1939 87 10,550
PIGEON RIVER Michigan Fair 1939 87 3,188
PRENTISS CREEK Michigan Fair 1939 87 975
TROUT CREEK Michigan Fair 1939 87 828
NORTH BR TOBACCO RIVER Michigan Poor 1939 87 280
RAPID RIVER Michigan Fair 1939 87 145
TOBACCO RIVER Michigan Poor 1939 87 6,100
S BR PAINT RIVER Michigan Fair 1939 87 1,090
COUNTY DRAIN Michigan Fair 1939 87 3,942
PHILP DRAIN Michigan Fair 1939 87 74
PONY CREEK Michigan Poor 1939 87 56
PORTAGE RIVER DRAIN Michigan Good 1939 87 3,180

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.