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
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.