Historic Bridges in Alabama
2,703 bridges built before 1951 in Alabama still in service today.
Bridges Built Before 1951
The United States has 2,703 bridges in Alabama 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 2,209 |
| TOWN CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 6,566 |
| BLACK OAK CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 7,608 |
| BLACK OAK CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 7,608 |
| BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 7,036 |
| TURKEY CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 11,711 |
| SHORT CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 11,491 |
| SPRINGFIELD BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 240 |
| Gentry Creek | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 1,481 |
| UN-NAMED CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 1,050 |
| TRIB. TO BIG WILLS CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 1,170 |
| BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 704 |
| STREAM | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 5,940 |
| BLACKBURN FORK | Alabama | Poor | 1942 | 84 | 106 |
| Wileys Branch | Alabama | Good | 1942 | 84 | 780 |
| BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 5,000 |
| PATTON CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 16,460 |
| LITTLE ESCAMBIA CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 80 |
| MCDONALD CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 12,700 |
| UT BEAR CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 7,080 |
| UT BEAR CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 6,350 |
| AL 150 | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 550 |
| UT BEAR CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 3,175 |
| SANDY CREEK BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 55 |
| BIG SWAMP CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 60 |
| COHOBADIAH CR | Alabama | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 95 |
| LONG CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 60 |
| BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 66 |
| HURRICANE BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 160 |
| STREAM | Alabama | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 18,950 |
| STREAM | Alabama | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 4,460 |
| BRANCH | Alabama | Poor | 1943 | 83 | 1,270 |
| SAND VALLEY CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 416 |
| STREAM | Alabama | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 13,600 |
| CSX RR | Alabama | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 13,600 |
| SECTION BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 250 |
| STREAM | Alabama | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 6,560 |
| JORDAN CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 1,800 |
| BAYOU SARA CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 12,000 |
| COUNTY ROAD 1561 | Alabama | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 75 |
| WIREGRASS CENTRAL RR | Alabama | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 80 |
| CHESTNUT BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1944 | 82 | 50 |
| ISLAND CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1944 | 82 | 6,010 |
| LONG BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1944 | 82 | 7,540 |
| STREAM | Alabama | Fair | 1944 | 82 | 8,500 |
| KIRBY CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1944 | 82 | 65 |
| Limestone Creek | Alabama | Fair | 1944 | 82 | 1,696 |
| TALLADEGA CREEK BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 1,275 |
| JONES CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 7,211 |
| Banks Creek | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 4,650 |
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.