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
US 69 (GRAND AVE.) Iowa Fair 1938 88 2,986
US 65 Iowa Fair 1938 88 364
DRAINAGE DITCH Iowa Poor 1938 88 210
PLUNGER CREEK Iowa Poor 1938 88 35
STREAM Iowa Fair 1938 88 15
PATTERSON CREEK Iowa Poor 1938 88 69
CREEK Iowa Good 1938 88 21
CREEK Iowa Good 1938 88 30
CREEK Iowa Fair 1938 88 30
CREEK Iowa Fair 1938 88 40
CREEK Iowa Poor 1938 88 26
TRIB TO MILLER CREEK Iowa Fair 1938 88 412
DD 82 Iowa Poor 1938 88 11
CEDAR CREEK Iowa Poor 1938 88 34
PURGATORY Iowa Fair 1938 88 34
E.CEDAR CR. Iowa Poor 1938 88 20
DD NO. 976 Iowa Fair 1938 88 219
DD 181 BIG CEDAR Iowa Poor 1938 88 219
FIELD STREAM Iowa Fair 1938 88 5
BUCK CREEK Iowa Fair 1938 88 79
W FK W NISHNABOTNA RIVER Iowa Good 1938 88 26
CURRAN BRANCH Iowa Fair 1938 88 40
CREEK Iowa Poor 1938 88 110
CREEK Iowa Fair 1938 88 45
STREAM Iowa Poor 1938 88 11
BR OF WHITEBREAST CREEK Iowa Poor 1938 88 11
WHITEBREAST CK BR OF Iowa Poor 1938 88 11
BR OF ENGLISH CREEK Iowa Poor 1938 88 21
JONES CREEK Iowa Poor 1938 88 45
DRAINAGE Iowa Poor 1938 88 20
DRAINAGE Iowa Fair 1938 88 29
SOUTH TIMBER CREEK Iowa Poor 1938 88 44
LUTES CREEK Iowa Poor 1938 88 82
NORTH SKUNK RIVER Iowa Poor 1938 88 29
BRANCH S TIMBER CREEK Iowa Poor 1938 88 11
MIDDLE TIMBER CREEK Iowa Fair 1938 88 16
SILVER CREEK Iowa Poor 1938 88 5
NELSON CR Iowa Fair 1938 88 15
BARRY CREEK Iowa Poor 1938 88 21
LITTLE OCHEYDAN RIVER Iowa Fair 1938 88 21
OTTER CREEK Iowa Fair 1938 88 21
KOOLMAN CREEK Iowa Fair 1938 88 34
OTTER CREEK Iowa Fair 1938 88 50
MINK CREEK Iowa Poor 1938 88 26
CREEK Iowa Fair 1938 88 120
SMALL STREAM Iowa Good 1938 88 50
SMALL STREAM Iowa Fair 1938 88 30
WEST BRANCH Iowa Fair 1938 88 26
SMALL STREAM Iowa Fair 1938 88 15
SMALL STREAM Iowa Good 1938 88 80

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.