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
W FK LITTLE SIOUX RIVER Iowa Poor 1935 91 11
WOLF CREEK Iowa Fair 1935 91 5
BRANCH NAGEL CREEK Iowa Poor 1935 91 11
INDIAN CREEK Iowa Fair 1935 91 546
INDIAN CREEK Iowa Poor 1935 91 179
RALSTON CREEK Iowa Poor 1935 91 1,082
STREAM Iowa Good 1935 91 3,370
INDIAN CREEK Iowa Fair 1935 91 1,540
STREAM Iowa Fair 1935 91 -
SPILLWAY Iowa Fair 1935 91 400
OLD UP RR & SW 22ND Iowa Poor 1936 90 15,634
RACCOON AND RR Iowa Poor 1936 90 2,825
SMALL STREAM Iowa Poor 1936 90 938
W BR INDIAN CREEK Iowa Poor 1936 90 535
DES MOINES RVR & RR Iowa Fair 1936 90 6,100
IOWA RIVER Iowa Fair 1936 90 387
STREAM Iowa Fair 1936 90 3,370
STREAM Iowa Fair 1936 90 4,300
STREAM Iowa Fair 1936 90 2,530
IA NR RR Iowa Fair 1936 90 1,500
COMPTON CREEK Iowa Fair 1936 90 760
STONEY HOLLOW CREEK Iowa Fair 1936 90 1,170
BRUSH CREEK Iowa Fair 1936 90 700
UP RR Iowa Fair 1936 90 2,020
DRAINAGE DITCH Iowa Fair 1936 90 1,830
DES MOINES RIVER Iowa Fair 1936 90 31,100
DRAINAGE DITCH Iowa Fair 1936 90 770
COW CREEK Iowa Fair 1936 90 28,000
CN RR AND 7TH STREET Iowa Fair 1936 90 3,159
BNSF RVR STS & IA 376 Iowa Poor 1936 90 20,600
CROOKED CREEK Iowa Poor 1936 90 60
CREEK Iowa Fair 1936 90 11
CREEK Iowa Fair 1936 90 11
CREEK Iowa Fair 1936 90 71
CREEK Iowa Fair 1936 90 91
SMALL STREAM Iowa Poor 1936 90 42
FIELD STREAM Iowa Fair 1936 90 40
CREEK Iowa Poor 1936 90 20
CREEK Iowa Poor 1936 90 110
CEDAR RIVER Iowa Poor 1936 90 79
SMALL STREAM Iowa Poor 1936 90 20
OVER CNW RR Iowa Poor 1936 90 255
HUNTER BRANCH Iowa Fair 1936 90 26
GREENBRIER CREEK Iowa Fair 1936 90 15
SMALL STREAM Iowa Fair 1936 90 16
NORTH SKUNK RIVER Iowa Poor 1936 90 106
SUGAR CREEK Iowa Fair 1936 90 62
WALNUT CREEK Iowa Fair 1936 90 360
BR KITTY CREEK Iowa Fair 1936 90 62
DME RR Iowa Poor 1936 90 200

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.