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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FARM CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 24,800 |
| LITTLE LICK CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 5,450 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 350 |
| DAVIDS CR | Illinois | Poor | 1930 | 96 | 1,150 |
| NORTH CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1930 | 96 | 25 |
| LITTLE DRY FORK | Illinois | Poor | 1930 | 96 | 10 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Illinois | Poor | 1930 | 96 | 75 |
| JORDAN CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 225 |
| HICKORY CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1930 | 96 | 250 |
| SPRING CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 16,300 |
| KENT CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1930 | 96 | 12,400 |
| TRIB WALNUT CR | Illinois | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 10 |
| MCKEE CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 675 |
| Trib to Shoal Creek | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 2,050 |
| MISSOURI CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 500 |
| N FORK SHELBY CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 750 |
| WALNUT CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 625 |
| POND CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 1,000 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Poor | 1931 | 95 | 1,000 |
| OTTER CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 50 |
| JOBS CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 1,500 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 3,450 |
| LK KINCAID SPILLWAY | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 3,600 |
| LITTLE CAL RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1931 | 95 | 13,700 |
| RR - IHB | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 28,200 |
| SAN & SHIP CANAL | Illinois | Poor | 1931 | 95 | 35,500 |
| RR - CN | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 39,000 |
| IL 64 (NORTH AVE) | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 38,900 |
| LITTLE CAL RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 21,100 |
| CAL SAG CHANNEL | Illinois | Poor | 1931 | 95 | 25,400 |
| WHEELING DRN DTCH | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 10,000 |
| IL 64 (NORTH AVE) | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 11,500 |
| DES PLAINES RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 9,700 |
| ADDISON CR | Illinois | Poor | 1931 | 95 | 8,750 |
| DES PLAINES RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 20,100 |
| SALT CREEK | Illinois | Good | 1931 | 95 | 36,500 |
| CAL SAG CHANNEL | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 21,000 |
| HIGGINS CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 31,500 |
| DITCH | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 15,900 |
| BR OF TINLEY CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1931 | 95 | 14,300 |
| TINLEY CREEK | Illinois | Good | 1931 | 95 | 14,500 |
| HUTSON CREEK | Illinois | Good | 1931 | 95 | 425 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 375 |
| BELL BRANCH | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 2,950 |
| CSXT RR | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 3,150 |
| S BR KISHWAUKEE RIV. | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 6,000 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 2,000 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 1,700 |
| LONG POINT CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1931 | 95 | 50 |
| KRESS CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 25,300 |
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.