Historic Bridges in Illinois
3,065 bridges built before 1951 in Illinois still in service today.
Bridges Built Before 1951
The United States has 3,065 bridges in Illinois 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 450 |
| LITTLE MENOMINEE RIV | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 550 |
| FOX RIVER TAILRACE | Illinois | Good | 1932 | 94 | 11,900 |
| SEAVEY DRAIN DITCH | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 15,100 |
| BUCK CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 375 |
| ILL RV BACK WATER | Illinois | Poor | 1932 | 94 | 75 |
| LONG POINT CR | Illinois | Good | 1932 | 94 | 25 |
| LONG POINT CR | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 25 |
| WILLOW CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 1,450 |
| FIVE MILE BRANCH | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 150 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 75 |
| NIPPERSINK CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 9,650 |
| N BR NIPPERSINK CR | Illinois | Good | 1932 | 94 | 5,100 |
| TURKEY CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 600 |
| COTTONWOOD CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 1,600 |
| COOP CR BRANCH | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 2,200 |
| W FK COOP BRANCH | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 1,800 |
| SUGAR CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 2,700 |
| SUGAR CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 650 |
| WOOD RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1932 | 94 | 1,900 |
| SUGAR CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1932 | 94 | 650 |
| SOUTH BR CROW CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1932 | 94 | 650 |
| MASSAC CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 2,050 |
| BARNES CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 2,550 |
| 3 MI BRANCH | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 75 |
| BR SHOP CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 125 |
| GOOSE CREEK | Illinois | Good | 1932 | 94 | 1,950 |
| HILLS BRANCH | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 1,750 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Illinois | Poor | 1932 | 94 | 2,100 |
| ROCK CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 3,450 |
| MILL CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 12,400 |
| GOOSE LAKE CANAL | Illinois | Poor | 1932 | 94 | 6,000 |
| OVERFLOW SILVER CR | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 4,950 |
| SILVER CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 4,950 |
| ASH CREEK | Illinois | Good | 1932 | 94 | 5,900 |
| MIDDLE FORK DITCH | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 2,900 |
| BANKSTON CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 3,100 |
| BANKSTON CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 3,100 |
| CRANE CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 1,350 |
| SILVER CREEK | Illinois | Good | 1932 | 94 | 75 |
| ILLINOIS RIV BNSF T&P | Illinois | Poor | 1932 | 94 | 12,400 |
| MACKINAW RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1932 | 94 | 75 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 100 |
| RUNNING LAKE DITCH | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 1,100 |
| TRIB.OF CACHE CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 2,500 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 250 |
| KNIGHTS BRANCH | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 450 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 450 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1932 | 94 | 1,000 |
| MUD CREEK | Illinois | Good | 1932 | 94 | 1,250 |
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.