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.
| Bridge | State | Condition | Year Built | Age (Years) | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LACY DITCH | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 5,250 |
| LACY DITCH | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 3,000 |
| SEAHORNE BRANCH | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 550 |
| FERGUSON CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 1,350 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 1,050 |
| LARRY CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 1,050 |
| MUD CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 50 |
| SILVER CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 1,500 |
| GREEN RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 4,100 |
| BAY CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 400 |
| SO BR ROCK CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 2,050 |
| LISBON CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 1,150 |
| DES PLAINES RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 21,100 |
| INDIAN CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 25 |
| BR.PRAIRIE CR. | Illinois | Good | 1936 | 90 | 25 |
| NORTH FORK VERMILION | Illinois | Good | 1936 | 90 | 525 |
| VERMILION RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 900 |
| WATERWAY | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 850 |
| W FORK SUGAR CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 1,900 |
| OTTER CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 50 |
| NSRR | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 11,500 |
| W Trib to Silver Crk | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 3,800 |
| ICG N&W RR | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 7,450 |
| Tr to E Fk Silver Cr | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 1,850 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 50 |
| ILLINOIS RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 5,250 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 75 |
| LITTLE INDIAN CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 50 |
| KILBUCK CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 4,300 |
| BNSF & Abandoned UP RR | Illinois | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 18,000 |
| OPOSSUM CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 4,150 |
| NSRR Yard | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 6,150 |
| LITTLE MUD CREEK | Illinois | Good | 1936 | 90 | 1,850 |
| RICHLAND CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 4,200 |
| RICHLAND CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 3,850 |
| PECATONICA RIVER | Illinois | Good | 1936 | 90 | 900 |
| BRUSH CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 25 |
| BRANCH WADDAMS CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 1,300 |
| PLUM CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 3,150 |
| BR OF CROOKED CR | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 2,650 |
| TRIB TO L CROOKED CR | Illinois | Good | 1936 | 90 | 2,650 |
| BR PECATONICA RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 75 |
| UNNAMED CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 1,250 |
| WEST BR PANTHER CR | Illinois | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 125 |
| OHIO RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 5,700 |
| METZ CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,100 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,050 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,000 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,000 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Poor | 1937 | 89 | 2,350 |
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.