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
DES PLAINES RIVER Illinois Fair 1925 101 16,100
DES PLAINES RIVER Illinois Fair 1925 101 4,600
N BR CHICAGO RIVER Illinois Poor 1925 101 24,400
I&M CANAL Illinois Good 1925 101 1,900
CROOKED CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 6,500
TINLEY CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 31,400
DEER CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 8,950
UNION STATION TRACKS Illinois Fair 1925 101 26,800
CC & PAC. RR Illinois Fair 1925 101 4,350
NORDIC SPRING BROOK Illinois Good 1925 101 13,400
FLAT CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 75
HOFFMAN CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 150
TRIB HICKORY CREEK Illinois Poor 1925 101 50
TRIB LITTLE HICKORY Illinois Fair 1925 101 50
RACCOON CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 75
OTTER CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 1,750
SPOON RIVER Illinois Poor 1925 101 1,000
COAL CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 10
BRANCH OF CAMP CREEK Illinois Poor 1925 101 50
WOLF CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 375
TRIB LITTLE MUD CR Illinois Fair 1925 101 150
TRIB TO PIGEON CR Illinois Poor 1925 101 75
BIG MUDDY RIVER Illinois Fair 1925 101 5,450
STREAM Illinois Fair 1925 101 5,700
Trib to Otter Creek Illinois Fair 1925 101 950
TRIB TO BOYER CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 3,750
STREAM Illinois Good 1925 101 450
APPLE RIVER Illinois Fair 1925 101 4,550
MENOMINEE RIVER Illinois Fair 1925 101 50
PLUM RIVER Illinois Fair 1925 101 50
CEDAR CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 5,150
DES PLAINES RIVER Illinois Fair 1925 101 14,300
DRAINAGE DITCH Illinois Fair 1925 101 2,000
BUFFALO CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 2,500
INDIAN CREEK Illinois Poor 1925 101 275
STREAM Illinois Poor 1925 101 25
ROOKS CREEK Illinois Poor 1925 101 225
WOLF CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 25
VERMILION RIVER Illinois Good 1925 101 2,600
EDGEWOOD RAVINE Illinois Fair 1925 101 21,200
MONEY CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 2,400
STREAM Illinois Poor 1925 101 2,100
MACKINAW RIVER Illinois Fair 1925 101 50
BNSD OUTFALL SEWER Illinois Poor 1925 101 4,100
BNSD OUTFALL SEWER Illinois Fair 1925 101 2,100
BR MACOUPIN CR Illinois Good 1925 101 35
TRIB TO SPANKER BR Illinois Poor 1925 101 150
CRANE CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 550
BIG 4 RESVR OVRFL Illinois Fair 1925 101 2,900
STREAM Illinois Fair 1925 101 2,000

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.