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
BEAR CREEK Illinois Fair 1924 102 50
LOST CREEK Illinois Fair 1924 102 50
TOWN BRANCH Illinois Fair 1924 102 2,250
UNION STATION TRKS Illinois Good 1924 102 6,600
UNION STATION TRACKS Illinois Fair 1924 102 4,650
CTA SKOKIE SWIFT Illinois Good 1924 102 12,400
BRUSHY CREEK Illinois Fair 1924 102 3,800
HAYES BRANCH Illinois Good 1924 102 3,050
SCATTERING FORK Illinois Fair 1924 102 2,500
STREAM E OF BENTON Illinois Fair 1924 102 1,850
TRIB. CARLTON BRANCH Illinois Fair 1924 102 75
ROSE CREEK Illinois Fair 1924 102 1,400
PINHOOK CREEK Illinois Fair 1924 102 1,200
HICKS BRANCH Illinois Fair 1924 102 1,200
EDWARDS RIVER Illinois Fair 1924 102 50
PRAIRE CREEK Illinois Poor 1924 102 25
STREAM Illinois Fair 1924 102 75
MCCORKLE CREEK Illinois Fair 1924 102 2,000
FOX RIVER E. BRANCH Illinois Fair 1924 102 2,950
FOX RIVER W. BRANCH Illinois Fair 1924 102 2,950
FOX RIVER E. BRANCH Illinois Fair 1924 102 3,550
FOX RIVER W. BRANCH Illinois Fair 1924 102 3,550
KANKAKEE RIVER Illinois Fair 1924 102 5,700
TRIB VERMILION R Illinois Fair 1924 102 75
TRIB SHORT POINT CR Illinois Fair 1924 102 275
DITCH Illinois Fair 1924 102 125
TURTLE CREEK Illinois Poor 1924 102 375
CAMP CREEK Illinois Fair 1924 102 2,300
BARRVILLE CR Illinois Poor 1924 102 25
POPE CREEK Illinois Fair 1924 102 1,900
N. HENDERSON CR Illinois Fair 1924 102 1,250
WEST SHOAL CREEK Illinois Good 1924 102 6,600
MILL CREEK Illinois Fair 1924 102 7,100
SILVER CREEK Illinois Fair 1924 102 4,850
E BRANCH KISER CREEK Illinois Fair 1924 102 1,600
GIBBONS CREEK Illinois Fair 1924 102 2,350
MURPHY CREEK Illinois Fair 1924 102 25
BLACKMAN CREEK Illinois Fair 1924 102 2,050
STREAM Illinois Poor 1924 102 4,100
STREAM Illinois Fair 1924 102 4,800
LITTLE WABASH Illinois Poor 1924 102 200
SPOON RIVER Illinois Poor 1924 102 1,600
BIG NECK CREEK Illinois Poor 1925 101 850
COAL CREEK Illinois Poor 1925 101 10
LAWSON CREEK Illinois Poor 1925 101 50
LIME CREEK Illinois Good 1925 101 25
ROCKY RUN CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 75
BR OF E FK OF PLUM R Illinois Fair 1925 101 100
STREAM Illinois Fair 1925 101 1,700
COTTON CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 500

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.