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
LITTLE CAL RIVER Illinois Fair 1930 96 17,700
LITTLE CAL RIVER Illinois Good 1930 96 9,900
DES PLAINES RIVER Illinois Fair 1930 96 25,600
N SHORE CHANNEL Illinois Fair 1930 96 29,200
N BR CHICAGO RIVER Illinois Good 1930 96 5,600
DESPLAINES RIVER Illinois Fair 1930 96 7,950
TRIB OF W BR SALT CR Illinois Fair 1930 96 36,400
SALT CREEK Illinois Fair 1930 96 12,000
SILVER CREEK Illinois Fair 1930 96 24,200
S BR CHICAGO RIVER Illinois Fair 1930 96 21,900
SANITARY&SHIP CANAL Illinois Fair 1930 96 18,800
MAIN BR CHICAGO RIV Illinois Poor 1930 96 7,350
N SHORE CHANNEL Illinois Fair 1930 96 26,700
BNSF & CN RR & Land Illinois Good 1930 96 21,900
LAND-32ND TO I55 RPS Illinois Good 1930 96 21,900
VARIOUS CITY STRTS Illinois Poor 1930 96 3,675
BNSF RR Illinois Good 1930 96 15,800
COON CREEK Illinois Fair 1930 96 700
SALT CREEK Illinois Fair 1930 96 3,900
STREAM Illinois Fair 1930 96 50
BEECH CREEK Illinois Fair 1930 96 1,150
ROCK CREEK Illinois Fair 1930 96 1,150
BEAR CREEK Illinois Fair 1930 96 50
OVER CUP CREEK Illinois Poor 1930 96 300
RICHLAND CREEK Illinois Poor 1930 96 75
LITTLE HICKORY CREEK Illinois Poor 1930 96 50
TRIB LITTLE HICKORY Illinois Fair 1930 96 50
TRIB LONE GROVE BR Illinois Fair 1930 96 100
TRIB DISMAL CREEK Illinois Fair 1930 96 100
CREEK Illinois Poor 1930 96 225
Illinois River & TR-423 Illinois Poor 1930 96 2,250
TAYLOR CREEK Illinois Fair 1930 96 800
ILL MICHIGAN CANAL Illinois Poor 1930 96 825
CEDAR GLEN CREEK Illinois Fair 1930 96 1,150
MUD CREEK Illinois Fair 1930 96 2,300
BR OF SPRING CREEK Illinois Poor 1930 96 50
W.BR INDIAN CREEK Illinois Fair 1930 96 100
BNSF RR Illinois Fair 1930 96 550
BR SUGAR CREEK Illinois Poor 1930 96 50
CREEK Illinois Poor 1930 96 25
BRANCH OF CASEY FORK Illinois Fair 1930 96 4,900
CASEY FORK OVERFLOW Illinois Fair 1930 96 4,900
CASEY FORK Illinois Fair 1930 96 4,900
TRIB ROCKY BRANCH Illinois Good 1930 96 2,850
CACHE RIVER Illinois Fair 1930 96 2,250
DUTCHMAN CREEK Illinois Poor 1930 96 200
TRIB OF BUCK RUN Illinois Fair 1930 96 2,250
E.AUX SABLE CR. Illinois Poor 1930 96 950
WAUBANSEE CK Illinois Fair 1930 96 50
SPOON RIVER Illinois Poor 1930 96 1,100

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.