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.
| 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.