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
MONKEY RUN Iowa Fair 1935 91 1,140
INDIAN CREEK Iowa Poor 1935 91 3,013
DES MOINES RIVER Iowa Fair 1935 91 17,517
RALSTON CREEK Iowa Poor 1935 91 449
RALSTON CREEK Iowa Poor 1935 91 4,693
HEWETT CREEK Iowa Fair 1935 91 275
NORTH SKUNK RIVER Iowa Poor 1935 91 1,170
DRAINAGE DITCH Iowa Fair 1935 91 1,500
DRAINAGE DITCH Iowa Fair 1935 91 2,550
DRAINAGE DITCH Iowa Fair 1935 91 5,100
SMALL NATURAL STREAM Iowa Poor 1935 91 737
W.FK GRAND RIVER Iowa Poor 1935 91 737
DRAINAGE DITCH Iowa Fair 1935 91 309
DM RIVER & B AVE Iowa Fair 1935 91 3,300
CREEK Iowa Poor 1935 91 21
CREEK Iowa Poor 1935 91 21
CROOKED CREEK Iowa Poor 1935 91 15
SUGAR CREEK Iowa Poor 1935 91 100
WINNEBAGO RIVER Iowa Fair 1935 91 30
LITTLE TURKEY Iowa Fair 1935 91 62
OVER UP RR Iowa Poor 1935 91 1,846
CREEK Iowa Fair 1935 91 300
BR N RACCOON Iowa Fair 1935 91 113
PANTHER CREEK Iowa Fair 1935 91 21
STREAM Iowa Fair 1935 91 69
EAST BUTTRICKS CREEK Iowa Fair 1935 91 170
DRAINAGE DITCH Iowa Fair 1935 91 15
CEDAR CREEK Iowa Poor 1935 91 70
BR IOWA RIVER Iowa Poor 1935 91 130
MIDDLE RIVER Iowa Poor 1935 91 11
STREAM Iowa Poor 1935 91 79
DRAINAGE Iowa Fair 1935 91 619
NELSON CR Iowa Fair 1935 91 30
DRY RUN Iowa Fair 1935 91 26
WILLOW CREEK Iowa Poor 1935 91 26
MILL CREEK Iowa Poor 1935 91 15
SMALL UN-NAMED CREEK Iowa Fair 1935 91 34
RAT CREEK Iowa Fair 1935 91 20
STREAM Iowa Fair 1935 91 90
STREAM Iowa Fair 1935 91 35
SNOW CREEK Iowa Fair 1935 91 15
DRAINAGE Iowa Good 1935 91 359
BEAR CREEK Iowa Poor 1935 91 26
HAMILTON-STORY 1 OPEN DD Iowa Fair 1935 91 20
RICHLAND CREEK Iowa Poor 1935 91 39
UNNAMED CREEK Iowa Poor 1935 91 11
TANGEN CREEK Iowa Fair 1935 91 59
CANOE CREEK Iowa Fair 1935 91 147
PARNELL CREEK Iowa Poor 1935 91 20
STREAM Iowa Poor 1935 91 5

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.