Historic Bridges in California

4,414 bridges built before 1951 in California still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 4,414 bridges in California 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
HILLSIDE California Fair 1928 98 5,425
SAN MATEO CREEK California Good 1928 98 236,000
TRANSMISSION CANAL California Fair 1928 98 232,000
RECREATIONAL TRAIL California Fair 1928 98 35,000
APTOS CREEK California Fair 1928 98 14,600
UVAS CREEK California Fair 1928 98 1,040
LITTLE UVAS CREEK California Good 1928 98 1,040
LLAGAS CREEK California Good 1928 98 1,220
COYOTE CREEK California Good 1928 98 5,300
LLAGAS CREEK California Good 1928 98 780
M.I.D. MAIN CANAL California Fair 1928 98 1,750
SALADO CREEK California Good 1928 98 7,550
S SAN JOAQUIN MAIN CANAL California Fair 1928 98 445
ATWATER CANAL California Fair 1928 98 1,206
MILES CREEK California Fair 1928 98 4,650
MILES CREEK California Fair 1928 98 4,650
MILES CREEK California Poor 1928 98 4,650
MILES CREEK California Fair 1928 98 4,650
BIG B DITCH California Fair 1928 98 2,270
DRY CREEK CANAL California Fair 1928 98 469
LOS ANGELES AQUEDUCT California Good 1928 98 12,600
CAYUCOS CREEK California Fair 1928 98 276
SAN LUIS OBISPO CREEK California Fair 1928 98 4,927
TORO CREEK California Good 1928 98 2,000
SANTA MONICA CANYON California Fair 1928 98 2,600
LITTLE SYCAMORE CREEK California Fair 1928 98 11,600
RINCON CREEK California Good 1928 98 76,000
CANADA LARGA California Good 1928 98 150
CANADA LARGA California Good 1928 98 150
THACHER CREEK California Fair 1928 98 900
I-5 California Fair 1928 98 22,125
LOS ANGELES RIVER California Good 1928 98 37,326
SANTA CLARA RIV California Poor 1928 98 30,894
SPTCO ABND California Fair 1928 98 30,894
LORENA ST & BERNAL AVE California Good 1928 98 17,480
GAVIN CYN CRK California Good 1928 98 10,841
SANTA ANITA WASH California Fair 1928 98 27,242
LOS ANGELES RIVER UP RR California Good 1928 98 18,808
LOS ANGELES RIV California Good 1928 98 33,503
OLD TOPANGA CRK California Fair 1928 98 2,300
BUCK CYN California Good 1928 98 2,053
OLD TOPANGA CRK California Poor 1928 98 870
SIERRA MADRE WASH California Good 1928 98 155
SIERRA MADRE WASH California Good 1928 98 116
SIERRA MADRE WASH California Good 1928 98 378
SIERRA MADRE WASH California Poor 1928 98 408
HILLSIDE California Good 1928 98 150
ARROYO CANYON California Fair 1928 98 4,000
SAWPIT WASH California Good 1928 98 29,916
CARBON CANYON California Good 1928 98 13,600

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.