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.
| Bridge | State | Condition | Year Built | Age (Years) | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PARADISE CUT | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 50 |
| ANGELS CREEK | California | Poor | 1932 | 94 | 8 |
| SAN ANTONIO CREEK | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 1,920 |
| HILLSIDE | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 18,753 |
| HILLSIDE | California | Good | 1932 | 94 | 18,753 |
| HILLSIDE | California | Good | 1932 | 94 | 18,753 |
| CHINA BASIN | California | Good | 1932 | 94 | 25,000 |
| STEVENS CREEK | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 155,000 |
| CALTRAIN UPRR BNSF AMTRA | California | Poor | 1932 | 94 | 25,000 |
| MARIPOSA CREEK | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 10,800 |
| GOULD CANAL | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 325 |
| GRANT CANAL | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 1,000 |
| SAN BENITO RIVER | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 25,500 |
| GRANITE CANYON | California | Good | 1932 | 94 | 11,100 |
| BIXBY CREEK | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 4,300 |
| ROCKY CREEK | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 4,300 |
| NORTH FORK KINGS RIVER | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 8,800 |
| S FK OF MID FK OF TUL RI | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 25 |
| KRAMER CREEK | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 100 |
| LOS BERROS CREEK | California | Good | 1932 | 94 | 25,500 |
| ARROYO GRANDE CREEK | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 9,600 |
| LOS BERROS CREEK | California | Good | 1932 | 94 | 10 |
| CANON CREEK | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 570 |
| SESPE CREEK | California | Good | 1932 | 94 | 340 |
| DERRY DALE CREEK | California | Good | 1932 | 94 | 340 |
| POTRERO CREEK | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 340 |
| CANON CREEK | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 570 |
| VENTURA RIVER | California | Poor | 1932 | 94 | 6,853 |
| DUNE CREEK | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 6,853 |
| BOULDER CREEK | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 600 |
| WALNUT CREEK CHANNEL | California | Good | 1932 | 94 | 223,000 |
| N FORK SAN GABRIEL RIVER | California | Good | 1932 | 94 | 220 |
| MARINA DITCH | California | Good | 1932 | 94 | 60,000 |
| LBC BIKE PATH | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 17,663 |
| CATTLE CYN CRK | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 200 |
| TEX WASH | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 200 |
| BUENA DITCH | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 200 |
| ROCKDALE DITCH | California | Good | 1932 | 94 | 200 |
| CHUCKWALLA DITCH | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 200 |
| ROCKLEDGE DITCH | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 220 |
| FINEVIEW DITCH | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 200 |
| DESERT CENTER DITCH | California | Good | 1932 | 94 | 200 |
| SAN DIEGUITO RIVER | California | Poor | 1932 | 94 | 14,027 |
| MEADOW CREEK | California | Good | 1932 | 94 | 727 |
| HORSE CREEK | California | Good | 1932 | 94 | 727 |
| FLAT CREEK | California | Good | 1932 | 94 | 727 |
| BOULDER CREEK | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 138 |
| OCOTILLO WASH | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 272 |
| LEE DITCH | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 272 |
| QUAKER WASH | California | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 372 |
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.