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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.