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
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.