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
PATTERSON CREEK Iowa Fair 1941 85 60
CREEK Iowa Poor 1941 85 30
STREAM Iowa Fair 1941 85 40
CREEK Iowa Fair 1941 85 21
CREEK Iowa Poor 1941 85 35
BEAR CK Iowa Poor 1941 85 40
SMALL STREAM Iowa Fair 1941 85 26
WILLOW CREEK Iowa Poor 1941 85 91
CRANE CR Iowa Fair 1941 85 30
STREAM Iowa Fair 1941 85 100
SMALL STREAM Iowa Fair 1941 85 50
HICKORY CREEK Iowa Fair 1941 85 21
FLINT RIVER Iowa Poor 1941 85 280
FLINT RIVER Iowa Fair 1941 85 130
CREEK Iowa Poor 1941 85 2,060
STREAM Iowa Poor 1941 85 25
CREEK Iowa Fair 1941 85 5
BROWN CREEK Iowa Poor 1941 85 110
VOLGA RIVER Iowa Poor 1941 85 39
STREAM Iowa Poor 1941 85 15
SPRING CREEK Iowa Fair 1941 85 11
DRAINAGE DITCH Iowa Fair 1941 85 80
SNIPE CREEK Iowa Poor 1941 85 11
BRANCH OF MINERAL CREEK Iowa Fair 1941 85 11
STREAM Iowa Fair 1941 85 11
DRAINAGE Iowa Poor 1941 85 20
CLEAR CREEK Iowa Poor 1941 85 26
CREEK Iowa Fair 1941 85 11
BR MINERVA CREEK Iowa Poor 1941 85 40
DRAINAGE Iowa Poor 1941 85 20
PINE CREEK Iowa Poor 1941 85 51
NELSON CREEK Iowa Fair 1941 85 41
LITTLE OCHEYDAN RIVER Iowa Fair 1941 85 21
OCHEYDAN RIVER Iowa Good 1941 85 35
STREAM Iowa Fair 1941 85 50
STREAM Iowa Fair 1941 85 15
LITTLE ROCK RIVER Iowa Poor 1941 85 15
STREAM Iowa Poor 1941 85 26
DRY BRANCH Iowa Poor 1941 85 26
CARTER CREEK Iowa Poor 1941 85 190
WILLOW CREEK Iowa Poor 1941 85 60
DEEP CREEK Iowa Poor 1941 85 11
W BR FLOYD RIVER Iowa Poor 1941 85 20
FOUR MILE CREEK Iowa Poor 1941 85 89
STREAM Iowa Fair 1941 85 15
LOTTS CREEK Iowa Fair 1941 85 25
STREAM Iowa Poor 1941 85 71
STREAM Iowa Fair 1941 85 11
SMALL Iowa Good 1941 85 15
SMALL Iowa Fair 1941 85 34

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.