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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.