Historic Bridges in Michigan

1,528 bridges built before 1951 in Michigan still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 1,528 bridges in Michigan 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
DOWAGIAC CREEK MILL RACE Michigan Fair 1941 85 2,800
DOWAGIAC CREEK Michigan Fair 1941 85 2,800
CHRISTIANA CREEK Michigan Fair 1941 85 8,072
E BR WAISKA RIVER Michigan Fair 1941 85 2,956
FORD RIVER Michigan Fair 1941 85 13,600
STURGEON RIVER Michigan Fair 1941 85 467
MAPLE RIVER Michigan Fair 1941 85 5,952
BEAVER CREEK DRAIN Michigan Poor 1941 85 118
GRAND RIVER Michigan Fair 1941 85 15,000
DEER CREEK Michigan Fair 1941 85 175
BRULE RIVER Michigan Fair 1941 85 3,031
SOUTH BR CHIPPEWA RIVER Michigan Poor 1941 85 81
FLAT RIVER Michigan Fair 1941 85 18,836
NORFOLK SOUTHERN RR Michigan Poor 1941 85 16,443
BOGUE CREEK Michigan Poor 1941 85 70
SKEELS CREEK Michigan Fair 1941 85 1,355
MINERAL RIVER Michigan Fair 1941 85 875
RUSH CREEK Michigan Fair 1941 85 7,552
MESSNER DRAIN Michigan Fair 1941 85 5,700
CHEBOYGANING CREEK Michigan Fair 1941 85 2,975
CASS RIVER Michigan Fair 1941 85 5,516
KREGER DRAIN Michigan Good 1941 85 4,188
KREGER DRAIN Michigan Fair 1941 85 4,188
BLACK RIVER Michigan Fair 1941 85 6,460
CEDAR CREEK Michigan Fair 1941 85 5,100
MILL CREEK Michigan Fair 1941 85 43
US-12 Michigan Fair 1941 85 7,350
BIG INDIAN RIVER Michigan Fair 1942 84 394
N BR KAWKAWLIN RIVER Michigan Poor 1942 84 172
GTW RR Michigan Fair 1942 84 18,057
LITTLE THORNAPPLE RIVER Michigan Poor 1942 84 2,581
STRAITS OF MACKINAC Michigan Fair 1942 84 11,076
FORTUNE LAKE OUTLET Michigan Fair 1942 84 3,653
RAISIN RIVER Michigan Poor 1942 84 120
EGYPT CREEK Michigan Fair 1942 84 2,565
BLACK RIVER Michigan Fair 1942 84 2,378
SWAN CREEK Michigan Fair 1942 84
CARMODY CREEK Michigan Fair 1942 84 2,969
MARINE CITY DRAIN Michigan Fair 1942 84 3,717
ROCKY RIVER RACE Michigan Fair 1942 84 9,299
ACM TEST TRACK Michigan Fair 1942 84 38,000
ACM TEST TRACK Michigan Fair 1942 84 23,000
WILLOW RUN Michigan Fair 1942 84 1,643
MONTREAL RIVER Michigan Fair 1942 84 558
DRIGGS RIVER Michigan Fair 1942 84 10
KALAMAZOO RIVER Michigan Fair 1943 83 12,100
UNNAMED CREEK Michigan Fair 1943 83 547
ESCANABA RIVER Michigan Good 1943 83 80
CASS RIVER Michigan Fair 1943 83 11,600
ECORSE CREEK Michigan Fair 1943 83 47,664

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.