Historic Bridges in Iowa
3,036 bridges built before 1951 in Iowa still in service today.
Bridges Built Before 1951
The United States has 3,036 bridges in Iowa 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STREAM | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 770 |
| STREAM | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,950 |
| STREAM | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 4,520 |
| BNSF RR | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 2,462 |
| WAPSIPINICON RIVER | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 462 |
| MISS RVR RR & IA 461 | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 26,500 |
| SMALL NATURAL STREAM | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 649 |
| SHANGHAR CREEK | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 21 |
| STREAM | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 11 |
| STREAM | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 62 |
| KEMP CREEK | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 26 |
| SHANGHAI CREEK | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 91 |
| BRANCH VILLAGE CREEK | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 108 |
| CREEK | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 15 |
| CREEK | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 21 |
| CREEK | Iowa | Good | 1940 | 86 | 30 |
| E NISHNABOTNA RIVER | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 40 |
| TRIB TO CEDAR RIVER | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 25 |
| BIG CREEK | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 50 |
| DRY CREEK | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 20 |
| SMALL STREAM | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 35 |
| STREAM | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 44 |
| BUFFALO CR | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 40 |
| NORTH RACOON RIVER | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 71 |
| STREAM | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 15 |
| YANKEE RUN | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 330 |
| W FORK BEAVER DAM CREEK | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 16 |
| BEAR CREEK | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 538 |
| STREAM | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 79 |
| STREAM | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 79 |
| CREEK | Iowa | Good | 1940 | 86 | 35 |
| EAST SOLDIER RIVER | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 11 |
| SMALL STREAM | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 89 |
| OVER IAIS RR | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 150 |
| N WYACONDAH RIVER | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 50 |
| N WYACONDAH CREEK | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 60 |
| CREEK | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 34 |
| N CHEQUEST LAKE CREEK | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 15 |
| TRIB SOAP CR | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 71 |
| SMALL STREAM | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 70 |
| STREAM | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 60 |
| STREAM | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 39 |
| SMALL STREAM | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 26 |
| CREEK | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 20 |
| CREEK | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 120 |
| VOLGA RIVER | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 33 |
| HAUGH CREEK | Iowa | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 20 |
| MINOR DRAINAGE | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 11 |
| RACCOON RIVER | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 170 |
| STREAM | Iowa | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 50 |
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.