Historic Bridges in Iowa

3,036 bridges built before 1951 in Iowa still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 3,036 bridges in Iowa 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
MIDDLE RIVER Iowa Fair 1930 96 29
DRAINAGE Iowa Poor 1930 96 219
TOM CREEK Iowa Poor 1930 96 26
NORTH RIVER Iowa Fair 1930 96 50
DRAINAGE Iowa Poor 1930 96 35
STREAM Iowa Fair 1930 96 26
CREEK Iowa Fair 1930 96 39
CREEK Iowa Fair 1930 96 20
OTTER CREEK Iowa Fair 1930 96 59
WALNUT CREEK Iowa Poor 1930 96 15
MINOR DRAINAGE Iowa Poor 1930 96 61
WEST MILL CREEK Iowa Poor 1930 96 15
CAMP CREEK Iowa Poor 1930 96 81
SILVER CREEK Iowa Poor 1930 96 29
W FK GRAND RIVER Iowa Poor 1930 96 60
STREAM Iowa Fair 1930 96 29
STREAM Iowa Poor 1930 96 15
STREAM Iowa Poor 1930 96 15
SMALL STREAM Iowa Fair 1930 96 50
D D #71 Iowa Poor 1930 96 26
RACCOON RIVER Iowa Poor 1930 96 26
MOSQUITO CREEK Iowa Poor 1930 96 26
MIDDLE MINERVA CREEK Iowa Fair 1930 96 11
NORTH WALNUT CREEK Iowa Poor 1930 96 15
OTTER CREEK Iowa Fair 1930 96 20
OTTER CREEK Iowa Poor 1930 96 29
TWELVE MILE CREEK Iowa Poor 1930 96 35
CREEK Iowa Fair 1930 96 16
STREAM Iowa Poor 1930 96 21
LITTLE SOAP CREEK Iowa Poor 1930 96 35
LITTLE SOAP CREEK Iowa Poor 1930 96 30
BRUSH CREEK Iowa Poor 1930 96 16
SOUTH AVERY CREEK Iowa Good 1930 96 11
BRANCH DES MOINES RIVER Iowa Poor 1930 96 62
SMITH CREEK Iowa Poor 1930 96 110
IOWA RIVER Iowa Poor 1930 96 21
WEST LITTLE RIVER Iowa Poor 1930 96 5
EAST NODAWAY RIVER Iowa Poor 1930 96 20
CREEK Iowa Poor 1930 96 40
BIRDLAND LAGOON Iowa Fair 1930 96 351
INDIAN CREEK Iowa Poor 1930 96 4,059
INDIAN CREEK Iowa Fair 1930 96 217
INDIAN CREEK Iowa Poor 1930 96 235
STREAM Iowa Fair 1930 96 2,140
BR E NODAWAY RIVER Iowa Fair 1931 95 770
MISSISSIPPI RIVER Iowa Poor 1931 95 2,200
CHESLEA CREEK Iowa Fair 1931 95 9,148
LITTLE SIOUX OVERFLOW Iowa Fair 1931 95 4,170
LOST ISLAND OUTLET Iowa Fair 1931 95 4,270
BRANCH MAQUOKETA RIVER Iowa Fair 1931 95 1,680

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.