Historic Bridges in California

4,414 bridges built before 1951 in California still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 4,414 bridges in California 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
DRY CREEK CANAL California Fair 1935 91 3,101
HERNDON CANAL California Fair 1935 91 550
HERNDON CANAL California Fair 1935 91 500
COLONY MAIN CANAL California Fair 1935 91 250
KINGSBURG BRANCH CANAL California Fair 1935 91 200
RIVERDALE DITCH California Fair 1935 91 900
TRAVERS CREEK California Good 1935 91 340
DRY CREEK CANAL California Good 1935 91 662
DRY CREEK CANAL California Fair 1935 91 367
DRY CREEK CANAL California Fair 1935 91 923
TRES PINOS CREEK California Fair 1935 91 800
SAN JUAN CREEK California Fair 1935 91 1,464
MALPASO CREEK California Good 1935 91 11,100
PANCHO RICO CREEK California Poor 1935 91 890
SAN LUIS OBISPO CREEK California Fair 1935 91 16,437
STENNER CREEK California Fair 1935 91 7,735
EAST SIDE CANAL California Fair 1935 91 10,689
LAS LLAJAS CREEK California Good 1935 91 16,000
OPEN LAND California Good 1935 91 30,470
ALHAMBRA WASH California Good 1935 91 24,637
ALHAMBRA WASH California Fair 1935 91 30,660
TUJUNGA WASH California Poor 1935 91 21,500
PICKENS CYN CHAN California Good 1935 91 7,313
HALLS CYN CHAN California Good 1935 91 10,403
HALLS CYN CHAN California Good 1935 91 7,519
HALLS CYN CHAN California Good 1935 91 13,081
PICKENS CYN CHAN California Good 1935 91 9,888
FISH CRK California Good 1935 91 612
LOS ANGELES RIVER California Good 1935 91 35,000
RUBIO WASH California Good 1935 91 10,300
PICKENS CYN CHAN California Good 1935 91 510
PICKENS CYN CHAN California Good 1935 91 1,020
PICKENS CYN CHAN California Good 1935 91 1,020
PICKENS CYN CHAN California Good 1935 91 1,020
PICKENS CYN CHAN California Good 1935 91 510
RUBIO WASH California Good 1935 91 5,100
PICKENS CYN CHAN California Good 1935 91 1,482
HALLS BECKLEY CYN CH California Good 1935 91 24,289
HAINES CANYON CHANNEL California Good 1935 91 27,443
MET WTR DSTRCT AQUEDUCT California Good 1935 91 1,428
RICE SPILLWAY California Fair 1935 91 1,428
MISSION STORM DRAIN California Fair 1935 91 300
VICTORIA DRIVE California Good 1935 91 36,000
SANTIAGO CREEK California Fair 1935 91 1,000
SILVERADO CANYON CREEK California Fair 1935 91 2,000
ITTA WASH California Good 1935 91 120,000
SAN GORGONIO OVERFLOW California Good 1935 91 10
MET WTR DSTRCT AQUEDUCT California Good 1935 91 1,428
SMITH CREEK California Fair 1935 91 25,000
HOLE CREEK CHANNEL California Good 1935 91 61,950

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.