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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GIRDER CR | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 200 |
| SUGAR CR | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 100 |
| ANDERSON BRANCH | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 100 |
| BEAR CR. | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| Conner Branch | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| ROGERS DITCH | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| STREAM E OF US 45 | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 550 |
| PATERSON BRANCH | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| NEW COLUMBIA DITCH | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| MASSAC CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 100 |
| STREAM N OF OHIO RIV | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 75 |
| TRIB TO Q DITCH | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| TRIB TO SEVENMILE CR | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| STREAM W OF POPE CO | Illinois | Good | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| ICG RR | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| CABINESS CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| GROVE CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 75 |
| TAR CK | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| GROVE CR | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| CLARY CR | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| CAMP CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 400 |
| CAMP CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| DEERLICK BR. | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| LITTLE CAMP CR | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| E FORK SHOAL CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 1,450 |
| MDL FK SHOP CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 75 |
| MACOUPIN CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| W FORK SHOAL CR | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| MACOUPIN CK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| LAKE FORK SHOAL CR | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 125 |
| FAWN CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 75 |
| SO BR HILLSBORO LK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 1,000 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| HURRICANE CR | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 150 |
| DRY FORK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| HURRICANE CR | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| WILLOW CRK. | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 150 |
| LICK CRK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 75 |
| MAUVAISE CRK | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 150 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| B&N RR | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
| BR OF MUD RUN | Illinois | Good | 1900 | 126 | 10 |
| BR.OF BIG HOLLOW CR | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 25 |
| SIXMILE CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 1,000 |
| DODDS BRANCH | Illinois | Fair | 1900 | 126 | 20 |
| GALUM CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1900 | 126 | 50 |
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.