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.
| Bridge | State | Condition | Year Built | Age (Years) | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KICKAPOO CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 3,450 |
| BEAUCOUP CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 2,300 |
| EAST FORK FOX RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 5,800 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Illinois | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 4,050 |
| E BR RICHLAND CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1927 | 99 | 475 |
| YELLOW CR BRANCH | Illinois | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 2,650 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 75 |
| N BR JACKSON CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 9,150 |
| TERRY CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 3,000 |
| GROVE CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 1,300 |
| ROCK RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 7,200 |
| PARTRIDGE CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 3,950 |
| MILL CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 6,150 |
| HOMAN CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 3,250 |
| SILVER CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 50 |
| SALT CREEK | Illinois | Good | 1928 | 98 | 32,800 |
| W FK N BR CHI RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 33,400 |
| E FK N BR CHI RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 33,400 |
| DES PLAINES RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 25,500 |
| DES PLAINES RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 25,200 |
| N BR CHICAGO RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 27,300 |
| LITTLE CAL RIV | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 12,300 |
| DES PLAINES RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 9,250 |
| DES PLAINES RIVER | Illinois | Good | 1928 | 98 | 11,300 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 36,100 |
| THORN CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 6,200 |
| WELLERS CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 29,700 |
| Main Br Chicago Rv | Illinois | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 18,600 |
| CALUMET RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 6,250 |
| S BR CHICAGO RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 26,800 |
| Parking Area | Illinois | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 18,600 |
| BNSF RAILROAD TRACKS | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 18,800 |
| RR Track&Parking Lot | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 37,700 |
| ADDISON CR | Illinois | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 450 |
| ADDISON CR | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 450 |
| ADDISON CR | Illinois | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 150 |
| ADDISON CR | Illinois | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 450 |
| ADDISON CR | Illinois | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 225 |
| ADDISON CR | Illinois | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 150 |
| ADDISON CR | Illinois | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 350 |
| ADDISON CR | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 100 |
| HONEY CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 250 |
| BROUILLETTS CR | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 1,550 |
| BRUSHY FORK | Illinois | Good | 1928 | 98 | 1,000 |
| BIG MUDDY RIVER | Illinois | Good | 1928 | 98 | 2,250 |
| TILLEY CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 2,050 |
| STEVENS CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 2,050 |
| EWING CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 2,550 |
| TRIB BIG CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 1,450 |
| BIG CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 1,450 |
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.