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
WILLOW CREEK Iowa Poor 1946 80 60
BR. WHITE OAK CK Iowa Fair 1946 80 45
SILVER CREEK Iowa Fair 1946 80 5
POTATO CREEK Iowa Fair 1946 80 45
BEAR CREEK Iowa Poor 1946 80 140
STREAM Iowa Poor 1946 80 5
WALNUT CREEK Iowa Fair 1946 80 11
STREAM Iowa Fair 1946 80 20
RICHLAND CREEK Iowa Poor 1946 80 25
WEST 102 RIVER Iowa Fair 1946 80 79
DEER CREEK Iowa Fair 1946 80 50
LONG CREEK Iowa Fair 1946 80 15
BRUSH CREEK Iowa Fair 1946 80 5
BRUSH CREEK Iowa Poor 1946 80 10
LONG CREEK Iowa Fair 1946 80 10
SPRING CREEK Iowa Fair 1946 80 5
LONG CREEK Iowa Fair 1946 80 20
LONG CREEK Iowa Fair 1946 80 10
RACCOON RIVER Iowa Poor 1947 79 1,572
LYONS CREEK Iowa Poor 1947 79 490
LITTLE MAQUOKETA RIVER Iowa Fair 1947 79 5,100
FLOOD CREEK Iowa Fair 1947 79 1,520
SMALL NATURAL STREAM Iowa Poor 1947 79 854
SMALL NATURAL STREAM Iowa Fair 1947 79 894
BRANCH SOLDIER RIVER Iowa Fair 1947 79 1,720
ODEBOLT CREEK Iowa Fair 1947 79 1,720
STREAM Iowa Fair 1947 79 1,590
SMALL NATURAL STREAM Iowa Fair 1947 79 468
STREAM Iowa Poor 1947 79 11
BRANCH VILLAGE CREEK Iowa Fair 1947 79 668
PRAIRIE CREEK Iowa Poor 1947 79 50
PRAIRIE CK Iowa Poor 1947 79 15
TRIB TO MILLER CREEK Iowa Fair 1947 79 10
TRIB TO BLACK HAWK CREEK Iowa Poor 1947 79 59
WAPSIPINICON RIVER Iowa Fair 1947 79 98
SNY MAGILL CREEK Iowa Fair 1947 79 62
STREAM Iowa Fair 1947 79 30
N FORK OF BEAVER CREEK Iowa Poor 1947 79 15
STREAM Iowa Fair 1947 79 20
DEER CREEK Iowa Poor 1947 79 150
CREEK Iowa Poor 1947 79 478
SMALL CREEK Iowa Fair 1947 79 71
NICHOLS CR Iowa Poor 1947 79 62
SMALL STREAM Iowa Poor 1947 79 11
RED ROCK CREEK Iowa Poor 1947 79 11
SMALL STREAM Iowa Poor 1947 79 41
WOLF CREEK Iowa Poor 1947 79 21
BYERS BRANCH CREEK Iowa Poor 1947 79 -
WHITE OAK CREEK Iowa Fair 1947 79 49
WHITE OAK CREEK Iowa Fair 1947 79 11

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.