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.
| Bridge | State | Condition | Year Built | Age (Years) | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAUGHING WHITEFISH RIVER | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 73 |
| LITTLE RABBIT RIVER | Michigan | Good | 1947 | 79 | 5,818 |
| HICKEY CREEK | Michigan | Good | 1947 | 79 | 2,624 |
| STURGEON RIVER | Michigan | Poor | 1947 | 79 | 3,585 |
| PELKIE CREEK | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 2,624 |
| TIOGA RIVER | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 2,624 |
| ST. JOSEPH RIVER | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 15,483 |
| COLDWATER RIVER | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 1,455 |
| PINE CREEK | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 8,571 |
| WABASCON CREEK | Michigan | Poor | 1947 | 79 | 14,726 |
| BOYNE RIVER | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 6,736 |
| ALBANY CREEK | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 759 |
| NAOMIKONG CREEK | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 30 |
| ROXBURY CREEK | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 30 |
| STONY CREEK | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 2,031 |
| BLACK RIVER | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 5,286 |
| SUNDAY LAKE OUTLET | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 5,387 |
| LITTLE BLACK RIVER | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 5,281 |
| BOARDMAN RIVER | Michigan | Good | 1947 | 79 | 10,294 |
| PINE RIVER | Michigan | Poor | 1947 | 79 | 1,190 |
| BEAN CREEK | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 5,136 |
| BEAN CREEK | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 5,136 |
| S BR KALAMAZOO RIVER | Michigan | Poor | 1947 | 79 | 506 |
| E BR ST JOSEPH OF MAUMEE | Michigan | Poor | 1947 | 79 | 282 |
| EAST BR. PIGEON RIVER | Michigan | Poor | 1947 | 79 | 88 |
| DOAN CREEK | Michigan | Good | 1947 | 79 | 1,522 |
| SYCAMORE CREEK | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 250 |
| PORTAGE CREEK | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 25,699 |
| BLACK CREEK | Michigan | Good | 1947 | 79 | 3,862 |
| S BRANCH RAISIN RIVER | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 1,800 |
| S BRANCH RAISIN RIVER | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 8,650 |
| SHIAWASSEE RIVER | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 249 |
| STONER CREEK | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 249 |
| CUT RIVER | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 4,450 |
| CLINTON RIVER N&S RDS | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 49,601 |
| CARP CREEK | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 5,585 |
| TITTABAWASSEE RIVER | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 4,422 |
| FLEMMING DRAIN | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 821 |
| MACON RIVER | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 3,140 |
| NORTH MACON CREEK | Michigan | Good | 1947 | 79 | 2,378 |
| BEAR SWAMP CREEK | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 2,766 |
| CLINTON RIVER | Michigan | Good | 1947 | 79 | 9,300 |
| JOHNSON CREEK | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 5,822 |
| MUSKEGON RIVER | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 4,802 |
| MISTEGUAY CREEK | Michigan | Poor | 1947 | 79 | 1,752 |
| BLACK RIVER | Michigan | Poor | 1947 | 79 | 5,462 |
| MISTEGUAY CREEK | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 2,477 |
| BR PINE R | Michigan | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 3,850 |
| ST JOSEPH RIVER | Michigan | Good | 1947 | 79 | 3,950 |
| BELLEVILLE LK HURON RIVR | Michigan | Poor | 1947 | 79 | 1,610 |
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.