Historic Bridges in Alabama
2,703 bridges built before 1951 in Alabama still in service today.
Bridges Built Before 1951
The United States has 2,703 bridges in Alabama 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GUM CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 240 |
| CSX R.R. | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 10,630 |
| ELK RIVER | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 5,150 |
| WILLIS CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 50 |
| CSX RR * CITY STREETS | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 5,382 |
| SOUTHERN RR | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 8,210 |
| DUGAN AVE. | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 45,380 |
| SOU * L * N RR | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 45,700 |
| CSX * CONECUH VALLEY R/R | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 3,650 |
| CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 368 |
| BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 370 |
| L*N FRISCO * SOU RR | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 28,150 |
| BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 20,070 |
| VALLEY CK RELIEF | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 20,070 |
| VALLEY CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 19,278 |
| VALLEY CK | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 9,746 |
| BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 18,480 |
| TANYARD CREEK | Alabama | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 1,100 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 570 |
| LITTLE WILLS CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 2,625 |
| BRANCH | Alabama | Good | 1936 | 90 | 2,625 |
| WILLS CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 2,625 |
| WILLS CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 2,625 |
| BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 6,813 |
| Little Buck Creek | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 1,450 |
| SOU. RR ; CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 3,100 |
| BRANCH | Alabama | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 100 |
| TONEY SPRING BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 750 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 625 |
| BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 2,200 |
| MUD CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 120 |
| LOCKCHELODGE CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 1,020 |
| CSX R/R | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 8,203 |
| NORFOLK SOUTHERN R/R | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 8,203 |
| SPRING CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 6,040 |
| LARKIN FORK CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 58 |
| STREAM | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 1,646 |
| SOUWILPA CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 125 |
| TRACE BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 168 |
| FIRST CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 600 |
| CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 500 |
| BRANCH | Alabama | Good | 1936 | 90 | 420 |
| Poley Creek | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 5,100 |
| SEIBOLD CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 6,045 |
| MILL CREEK | Alabama | Good | 1936 | 90 | 4,974 |
| STREAM | Alabama | Good | 1936 | 90 | 4,637 |
| STREAM | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 4,637 |
| COON CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 93 |
| W. OF AL. RR | Alabama | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 1,660 |
| Horn Branch Widows Creek | Alabama | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 100 |
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.