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
STREAM Illinois Poor 1925 101 2,000
BRIER CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 4,100
STREAM Illinois Fair 1925 101 25
WILLIAMS CR Illinois Fair 1925 101 25
BR LITTLE CROOKED Illinois Fair 1925 101 25
SOUTH FORK MUD CREEK Illinois Poor 1925 101 350
DU PAGE RIVER Illinois Fair 1925 101 21,100
PRAIRIE CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 275
SPRING CR Illinois Poor 1925 101 2,350
ROCK RIV& MADISON ST Illinois Fair 1925 101 8,500
DRY RUN CREEK Illinois Fair 1925 101 100
BR WALNUT CR Illinois Poor 1925 101 125
PETTIBONE CREEK Illinois Poor 1926 100 1,260
LOCUST FORK Illinois Fair 1926 100 2,200
CLEAR CREEK Illinois Fair 1926 100 100
Bear Creek Illinois Poor 1926 100 25
DEER CREEK Illinois Fair 1926 100 19,300
RAVINE Illinois Fair 1926 100 3,200
N BR CHICAGO RIVER Illinois Good 1926 100 1,800
SANITARY&SHIP CANAL Illinois Poor 1926 100 15,900
LOWER LVL WACKER DR Illinois Good 1926 100 11,200
GARLAND COURT Illinois Good 1926 100 4,150
METRA ELECTRIC RR Illinois Fair 1926 100 5,250
Land Illinois Poor 1926 100 12,900
THORN CREEK Illinois Fair 1926 100 675
UNION STATION TRACKS Illinois Poor 1926 100 10,400
UNION STATION Illinois Poor 1926 100 5,100
UNION STATION TRACKS Illinois Poor 1926 100 5,100
THORN CREEK Illinois Fair 1926 100 1,400
DRAINAGE DITCH Illinois Fair 1926 100 3,950
STREAM Illinois Fair 1926 100 50
STREAM Illinois Fair 1926 100 50
DRAINS TO AUTEN DTCH Illinois Fair 1926 100 2,550
PLUM RIVER Illinois Fair 1926 100 100
FOX RIVER W CHANNEL Illinois Fair 1926 100 11,200
FOX RIVER Illinois Fair 1926 100 6,650
FLINT CREEK Illinois Fair 1926 100 11,000
BOAT CHANNEL Illinois Fair 1926 100 5,750
Flint Creek Illinois Fair 1926 100 225
GUM CREEK Illinois Fair 1926 100 2,450
OTTER CREEK Illinois Good 1926 100 50
Norfolk & Southern RR Illinois Fair 1926 100 1,250
CREEK Illinois Fair 1926 100 550
EAGLE CREEK Illinois Poor 1926 100 75
MOKELER CREEK Illinois Fair 1926 100 600
WILLOW BRANCH Illinois Poor 1926 100 250
BRANCH KICKAPOO CR Illinois Fair 1926 100 1,250
BEAUCOUP CREEK Illinois Fair 1926 100 3,500
COX CREEK Illinois Fair 1926 100 725
UNNAMED STREAM Illinois Fair 1926 100 25

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.