Historic Bridges in California

4,414 bridges built before 1951 in California still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 4,414 bridges in California 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
MILL CREEK California Good 1931 95 3,300
LITTLE CHICO CREEK California Fair 1931 95 93
SHADY OAKS SLOUGH California Fair 1931 95 1,256
CLOVER CREEK California Good 1931 95 80
LYONS CREEK California Fair 1931 95 1,066
CLEAR CREEK California Poor 1931 95 5,673
ROBBINS CANAL California Good 1931 95 7,400
PHEASANT CANAL California Good 1931 95 5,600
KING SLOUGH California Fair 1931 95 1,427
KING RAVINE California Fair 1931 95 3,311
TOLAY CREEK California Good 1931 95 32,000
SONOMA CREEK California Fair 1931 95 800
AMERICAN RIVER California Fair 1931 95 500
SNODGRASS SLOUGH California Fair 1931 95 4,293
GRIZZLEY SLOUGH California Fair 1931 95 1,785
HANGTOWN CREEK California Good 1931 95 20,000
GEORGETOWN CREEK California Fair 1931 95 962
ELLIS CREEK California Fair 1931 95 2,300
HALLECK CREEK California Fair 1931 95 2,000
SALMON CREEK California Poor 1931 95 328
SALMON CREEK California Good 1931 95 400
SAN PABLO CREEK California Fair 1931 95 6,368
MOSHER SLOUGH California Good 1931 95 26,616
DUCK CREEK California Poor 1931 95 179
MOSHER SLOUGH California Fair 1931 95 150
DUCK CREEK BRANCH California Fair 1931 95 13
SAN LEANDRO CREEK California Good 1931 95 16,100
SAN LEANDRO CREEK California Fair 1931 95 1,130
SUNSET BLVD California Good 1931 95 23,600
SUNSET BLVD California Good 1931 95 20,040
HILLSIDE California Fair 1931 95 8,000
BOULDER CREEK California Good 1931 95 12,100
SAN LORENZO RIVER California Poor 1931 95 500
CARNADERO CREEK California Good 1931 95 26,000
STANISLAUS RIVER California Poor 1931 95 18,600
HOODS CREEK California Good 1931 95 1,778
S SAN JOAQUIN MAIN CANAL California Fair 1931 95 729
BIG CREEK California Fair 1931 95 2,300
BERENDA SLOUGH California Poor 1931 95 1,446
FRESNO RIVER California Fair 1931 95 11,851
LAGUNA CANAL California Fair 1931 95 3,025
LAGUNA CANAL California Fair 1931 95 830
SAN JUAN CREEK California Good 1931 95 51,000
GARRAPATA CREEK California Good 1931 95 4,300
SALINAS RIVER California Fair 1931 95 210
CROSS CREEK California Fair 1931 95 24,500
SOUTH BRANCH TULE RIVER California Fair 1931 95 21,500
TULE RIVER OVERFLOW #1 California Good 1931 95 21,500
TULE RIVER OVERFLOW #2 California Good 1931 95 21,500
N BRANCH TULE RIVER California Fair 1931 95 21,500

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.