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.

Clear
Bridge State Condition Year Built Age (Years) ADT
DITCH Illinois Fair 1934 92 775
LUSK CREEK Illinois Fair 1934 92 700
E TRIB TO PLUM CREEK Illinois Fair 1934 92 2,900
MARYS RIVER Illinois Poor 1934 92 1,600
TRIB TO MUD CREEK Illinois Good 1934 92 1,350
STREAM Illinois Fair 1934 92 7,700
DITCH Illinois Fair 1934 92 525
LITTLE SANDY CREEK Illinois Good 1934 92 1,150
PLUM CR. BR. Illinois Poor 1934 92 200
YELLOW CREEK Illinois Fair 1934 92 150
LITTLE MACKINAW RIVE Illinois Fair 1934 92 50
STONY CREEK Illinois Fair 1934 92 225
STREAM Illinois Fair 1934 92 150
STREAM Illinois Fair 1934 92 300
STREAM Illinois Fair 1934 92 300
ELLISON CREEK Illinois Good 1934 92 125
CROOKED CREEK Illinois Fair 1934 92 2,750
OVERFLOW CROOKED CR Illinois Fair 1934 92 2,750
SKILLET FORK Illinois Good 1934 92 900
I & M CANAL Illinois Fair 1934 92 3,800
LILY CACHE CREEK Illinois Fair 1934 92 29,200
DES PLAINES RIVER Illinois Fair 1934 92 9,800
S FORK SALINE RELIEF Illinois Fair 1934 92 3,000
STREAM Illinois Fair 1934 92 3,000
CREEK Illinois Fair 1935 91 50
STREAM Illinois Fair 1935 91 625
HICKORY CREEK Illinois Poor 1935 91 200
MUD CREEK Illinois Fair 1935 91 50
PLUESTER CREEK Illinois Fair 1935 91 1,100
UPRR & CSX(abnd) & TR199 Illinois Fair 1935 91 2,600
CROOKED CREEK Illinois Poor 1935 91 25
WILKEN LAKE Illinois Fair 1935 91 4,250
SHOAL CREEK overflow Illinois Fair 1935 91 4,250
STREAM Illinois Fair 1935 91 10
POLECAT CREEK Illinois Poor 1935 91 100
RR- CSXT Illinois Poor 1935 91 13,700
N SHORE CHANNEL Illinois Fair 1935 91 19,100
N Br Chicago River Illinois Poor 1935 91 22,900
RR - CSXT Illinois Fair 1935 91 25,000
SKOKIE RIVER Illinois Good 1935 91 17,300
N BR CHICAGO RIVER Illinois Fair 1935 91 13,400
SKOKIE RIVER Illinois Fair 1935 91 12,600
CAL SAG EXTENSION Illinois Fair 1935 91 20,500
N SHORE CHANNEL Illinois Good 1935 91 30,100
SKOKIE RIVER Illinois Good 1935 91 6,700
NORTH CREEK Illinois Good 1935 91 5,700
THORN CREEK Illinois Poor 1935 91 10,200
PARKING LOT ENTRANCE Illinois Fair 1935 91 1,700
EMBARRAS RIVER Illinois Fair 1935 91 2,850
ARCOLA #4 DITCH Illinois Fair 1935 91 150

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.