Historic Bridges in South Dakota
1,118 bridges built before 1951 in South Dakota still in service today.
Bridges Built Before 1951
The United States has 1,118 bridges in South Dakota 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OLD LODGE CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1950 | 76 | 100 |
| WEST BR BULL CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1950 | 76 | 35 |
| CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1950 | 76 | 10 |
| CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1950 | 76 | 50 |
| CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1950 | 76 | 100 |
| CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1950 | 76 | 100 |
| CK | South Dakota | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 50 |
| EAST FORK VERMILLION RV | South Dakota | Poor | 1950 | 76 | 50 |
| ELCE CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1950 | 76 | 25 |
| CK | South Dakota | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 35 |
| CK | South Dakota | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 40 |
| CK | South Dakota | Good | 1950 | 76 | 20 |
| WEST UNION CK | South Dakota | Good | 1950 | 76 | 500 |
| CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1950 | 76 | 45 |
| EAST UNION CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1950 | 76 | 45 |
| EAST UNION CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1950 | 76 | 25 |
| EAST UNION CK | South Dakota | Poor | 1950 | 76 | 110 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | South Dakota | Good | 1950 | 76 | 30 |
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.