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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottondale Creek | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 9,520 |
| Kepple Creek | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 7,381 |
| Beatty Branch | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 7,381 |
| LITTLE HURRICANE CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 7,791 |
| Little Hurricane Creek | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 6,450 |
| Dowdle Branch | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 5,550 |
| CROSSWAY BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 400 |
| BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 129 |
| Weogufka Creek | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 707 |
| COBB BRANCH | Alabama | Good | 1945 | 81 | 3,063 |
| STREAM | Alabama | Poor | 1945 | 81 | 718 |
| BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 385 |
| WOLF CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 131 |
| RELIEF DITCH | Alabama | Good | 1945 | 81 | 4,340 |
| TURKEY CREEK | Alabama | Good | 1945 | 81 | 2,200 |
| MULWEE BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 2,000 |
| INDIAN CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 50 |
| BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 4,970 |
| TURKEY CR | Alabama | Poor | 1945 | 81 | 60 |
| Paint Creek | Alabama | Poor | 1945 | 81 | 8 |
| BEESWAX CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 1,000 |
| SPRING BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 1,110 |
| BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 2,250 |
| WATKINS CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 9,025 |
| SHADES CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 8,115 |
| SHADES CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 8,115 |
| TOWN BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 2,000 |
| BRAHAN SPRING BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 3,175 |
| BEAR CREEK BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 10 |
| BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 130 |
| SPRING CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 95 |
| JUDY CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 1,850 |
| HALLS CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 3,000 |
| STEVENSON CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 1,350 |
| LIL SHADES CK | Alabama | Poor | 1945 | 81 | 12,820 |
| WATKINS CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 1,008 |
| WATKINS CREEK | Alabama | Poor | 1945 | 81 | 2,015 |
| BLUE CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 335 |
| FAYNE CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 605 |
| BLUE EYE CREEK | Alabama | Good | 1945 | 81 | 694 |
| FUQUA BRANCH | Alabama | Good | 1945 | 81 | 420 |
| NARROW GAP CREEK | Alabama | Poor | 1945 | 81 | 20 |
| MOORE BRANCH | Alabama | Good | 1945 | 81 | 50 |
| TARKLIN BRANCH | Alabama | Good | 1945 | 81 | 1,500 |
| RICH CREEK | Alabama | Good | 1945 | 81 | 1,500 |
| BRANCH OF TURKEY CREEK | Alabama | Good | 1945 | 81 | 4,032 |
| TERRAPIN CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 25 |
| _BRANCH | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 40 |
| MCDONALD CREEK | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 15,100 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Alabama | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 300 |
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.