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
CSXRR (UPRR KCSRR) Illinois Poor 1935 91 2,750
CAHOKIA CANAL Illinois Fair 1935 91 4,600
SCHOENBERGER CREEK Illinois Fair 1935 91 10
SCHOENBERGER CREEK Illinois Fair 1935 91 10
SCHOENBER GER CREEK Illinois Fair 1935 91 10
CLEAR CREEK Illinois Fair 1935 91 100
ILLINOIS R TRIB. Illinois Fair 1935 91 600
ILLINOIS R TRIB. Illinois Fair 1935 91 600
BRANCH PLUM CREEK Illinois Good 1935 91 200
BR PECATONICA RIVER Illinois Fair 1935 91 50
FARM CR TPW RR NS RR Illinois Poor 1935 91 6,600
LITTLE CREEK Illinois Poor 1935 91 600
BLUEGRASS CREEK Illinois Fair 1935 91 350
STREAM Illinois Fair 1935 91 950
STREAM Illinois Fair 1935 91 50
BONPAS CREEK Illinois Fair 1935 91 2,100
ELKHORN CREEK Illinois Fair 1935 91 650
KANKAKEE RIVER Illinois Fair 1935 91 23,750
HICKORY CREEK Illinois Fair 1935 91 1,350
HICKORY CREEK Illinois Good 1935 91 1,400
DES PLAINES RIVER Illinois Poor 1935 91 21,300
DRAINAGE DITCH Illinois Fair 1935 91 1,400
UNNAMED CREEK Illinois Poor 1935 91 800
CAMP CRK Illinois Fair 1936 90 250
BR OF W FORK SPOON R Illinois Fair 1936 90 425
LOST CREEK Illinois Poor 1936 90 650
LOST CREEK BRANCH Illinois Fair 1936 90 650
SALINE BRANCH Illinois Fair 1936 90 19,200
SALINE BRANCH DRAIN Illinois Fair 1936 90 575
STREAM Illinois Fair 1936 90
CROOKED CREEK Illinois Good 1936 90 450
NSRR Illinois Good 1936 90 3,550
N SHORE CHANNEL Illinois Fair 1936 90 10,150
RACINE AVE & RR Illinois Poor 1936 90 15,500
RR - BRC Illinois Fair 1936 90 18,800
SALT CREEK Illinois Fair 1936 90 4,450
RR - UP Illinois Fair 1936 90 34,200
POPLAR CREEK Illinois Fair 1936 90 11,600
HICKORY CR Illinois Fair 1936 90 11,000
SALT CR Illinois Fair 1936 90 23,500
N BR CHICAGO RIVER Illinois Fair 1936 90 26,200
SHARED USE PATH Illinois Fair 1936 90 850
GARFIELD PK LAGOON Illinois Fair 1936 90 8,450
PEDESTRIAN UNDERPASS Illinois Fair 1936 90 6,250
HUTSON CREEK Illinois Good 1936 90 400
GREAT WESTERN TRAIL Illinois Fair 1936 90 18,300
HICKORY GROVE CREEK Illinois Good 1936 90 1,900
DRAINAGE DITCH #7 Illinois Fair 1936 90 350
STREAM Illinois Poor 1936 90 75
Sugar Camp Creek Illinois Poor 1936 90 1,050

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.