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
DRAINAGE DITCH Iowa Fair 1933 93 679
BLUE GRASS CREEK Iowa Fair 1933 93 -
PEASE CREEK Iowa Fair 1933 93 -
PEASE CREEK Iowa Fair 1933 93 -
EAST NISHNABOTNA RIVER Iowa Fair 1934 92 3,690
BR LITTLE WAPSIPINICON R Iowa Fair 1934 92 3,030
BRANCH MAQUOKETA RIVER Iowa Fair 1934 92 2,140
BRANCH MAQUOKETA RIVER Iowa Fair 1934 92 2,140
IOWA RIVER Iowa Fair 1934 92 6,251
SMALL STREAM Iowa Fair 1934 92 289
SMALL STREAM Iowa Poor 1934 92 289
STREAM Iowa Fair 1934 92 1,250
HIGH ST Iowa Fair 1934 92 2,540
BLUE GRASS Iowa Fair 1934 92 21
CREEK Iowa Poor 1934 92 216
CREEK Iowa Fair 1934 92 432
BR NORTH RACCOON RIVER Iowa Fair 1934 92 20
MAQUOKETA RIVER Iowa Fair 1934 92 108
STREAM Iowa Fair 1934 92 11
STREAM Iowa Fair 1934 92 11
SMALL CREEK Iowa Poor 1934 92 26
PRAIRIE CREEK Iowa Poor 1934 92 20
PLUM CREEK Iowa Fair 1934 92 130
MONK CREEK Iowa Poor 1934 92 90
CREEK Iowa Poor 1934 92 90
PICAYUNE CREEK Iowa Poor 1934 92 30
WEST BRANCH SUGAR CREEK Iowa Poor 1934 92 30
CHARITON RIVER Iowa Poor 1934 92 16
RAVEN CREEK Iowa Poor 1934 92 30
MUD CREEK Iowa Fair 1934 92 103
DEEP CREEK Iowa Fair 1934 92 15
STREAM Iowa Fair 1934 92 35
DRAINAGE #42 Iowa Fair 1934 92 40
LITTLE OCHEYEDAN RIVER Iowa Fair 1934 92 15
LITTLE OCHEYEDAN RIVER Iowa Fair 1934 92 21
STREAM Iowa Good 1934 92 21
DR DISTRICT #11 Iowa Fair 1934 92 26
MINK CREEK Iowa Fair 1934 92 60
STREAM Iowa Fair 1934 92 40
STREAM Iowa Poor 1934 92 34
SMALL STREAM Iowa Fair 1934 92 20
SMALL STREAM Iowa Fair 1934 92 11
SM STREAM Iowa Poor 1934 92 11
UP RR Iowa Fair 1934 92 2,532
MOSQUITO CREEK Iowa Fair 1934 92 288
STREAM Iowa Fair 1934 92 -
MAQUOKETA RIVER Iowa Fair 1934 92 -
STREAM Iowa Poor 1934 92 -
APPLE CREEK Iowa Fair 1935 91 1,070
LITTLE MILL CREEK Iowa Poor 1935 91 450

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.