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