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
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.