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.

Clear
Bridge State Condition Year Built Age (Years) ADT
BURNETT CR Iowa Fair 1940 86 47
CREEK Iowa Poor 1940 86 21
DEER CREEK Iowa Poor 1940 86 15
NISHNA RIVER Iowa Poor 1940 86 40
WAUBONSIE CR Iowa Poor 1940 86 20
SPRING VALLEY CR Iowa Poor 1940 86 11
INDIAN CREEK Iowa Poor 1940 86 26
CREEK Iowa Poor 1940 86 15
MUD CREEK Iowa Poor 1940 86 26
STREAM Iowa Poor 1940 86 70
DRAINAGE Iowa Fair 1940 86 15
WEST NODAWAY RIVER Iowa Poor 1940 86 45
MCCREATH CR Iowa Fair 1940 86 15
MILL CREEK Iowa Fair 1940 86 62
LITTLE WATERMAN CREEK Iowa Fair 1940 86 30
LITTLE OCHEYDAN RIVER Iowa Fair 1940 86 21
DRAINAGE DITCH #42 Iowa Fair 1940 86 21
STREAM Iowa Fair 1940 86 30
OTTER CREEK Iowa Fair 1940 86 81
OTTER CREEK Iowa Fair 1940 86 21
WEST MILL CREEK Iowa Poor 1940 86 34
PERRY CREEK Iowa Fair 1940 86 159
PLYMOUTH CREEK Iowa Fair 1940 86 45
FLOYD RIVER Iowa Fair 1940 86 60
STREAM Iowa Poor 1940 86 11
GRAYBILL CREEK Iowa Fair 1940 86 20
STREAM Iowa Fair 1940 86 11
STREAM Iowa Poor 1940 86 26
LITTLE SILVER CREEK Iowa Fair 1940 86 34
LITTLE SILVER CREEK Iowa Fair 1940 86 15
SILVER CREEK Iowa Fair 1940 86 15
SMALL STREAM Iowa Fair 1940 86 20
LOTTS CREEK Iowa Poor 1940 86 11
W FK GRAND RIVER Iowa Poor 1940 86 5
BR MIDDLE FK GRAND RIVER Iowa Poor 1940 86 29
GOOSEBERRY CREEK Iowa Poor 1940 86 20
WOLF CREEK Iowa Poor 1940 86 20
E FK GRAND RIVER Iowa Poor 1940 86 5
STREAM Iowa Poor 1940 86 29
TRAIL Iowa Poor 1940 86 190
MUD CREEK Iowa Poor 1940 86 1,280
LONG BRANCH Iowa Fair 1940 86 51
SMALL STREAM Iowa Good 1940 86 20
FLOYD RIVER Iowa Good 1940 86 30
SMALL Iowa Good 1940 86 45
HAMILTON-STORY 1 OPEN DD Iowa Fair 1940 86 50
RAVEN CREEK Iowa Fair 1940 86 39
RAVEN CREEK Iowa Fair 1940 86 29
RAVEN CREEK Iowa Poor 1940 86 29
WOLF CREEK Iowa Fair 1940 86 70

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.