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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRIB.S.HENDERSON CRK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 350 |
| POPE CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| TRIB TO SPOON RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| WALNUT CR | Illinois | Good | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| PIG CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| Squaw Creek | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 1,600 |
| VERMILION RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 3,250 |
| TRIB N FORK VERMILLI | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 75 |
| LOCAL DRAINAGE | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 1,200 |
| KICKAPOO CK OVERFLOW | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| KICKAPOO CREEK TRIB | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| LOCAL DRAINAGE | Illinois | Good | 1900 | 126 | 20 |
| LAKE FORK CK TRIB. | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 20 |
| LOCAL DRAINAGE | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 20 |
| LOCAL DRAINAGE | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| LAHARPE CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 10 |
| KEPPLE CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 75 |
| TROUBLESOME CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| CEDAR CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 10 |
| E.F. LAMOINE RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 125 |
| CAMP CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| CARTER CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 75 |
| SUGAR CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| RUSH CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 100 |
| JOES CRK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 20 |
| SOLOMON CRK. | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| JOES CRK. | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 35 |
| SUGAR CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 20 |
| OTTER CRK. | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| GOOSE CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| HORSE CRK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 20 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 150 |
| MACOUPIN CRK | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 20 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 35 |
| KENT CRK. | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 150 |
| SUGAR CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| SHAW PT BR | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 20 |
| LICK CRK. | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 20 |
| MACOUPIN CRK. | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| HONEY CRK. | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 35 |
| CAHOKIA CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| CAHOKIA CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| OTTER CRK. | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 125 |
| E FK WOOD R | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 100 |
| SHERRY CRK. | Illinois | Good | 1900 | 126 | 175 |
| SHAWS PT BR | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 75 |
| MACOUPIN CR | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 20 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 35 |
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.