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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOCAL DRAINAGE | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 450 |
| GRINDSTONE CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 150 |
| RR - UP & MCCOOB ST | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 12,400 |
| T OF W BR PISCASAW | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 350 |
| TRIB S BR KSHWKE RVR | Illinois | Good | 1940 | 86 | 500 |
| Norfolk Southern Railway | Illinois | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 25,000 |
| BUNN STREET | Illinois | Good | 1940 | 86 | 25,000 |
| BR KICKAPOO CR | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 775 |
| BR SUGAR CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 725 |
| SANGAMON RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 250 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Good | 1940 | 86 | 200 |
| Massa Creek | Illinois | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 150 |
| CAHOKIA DIVERSN CNL | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 4,000 |
| UPRR | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 4,800 |
| Access Rd NSRR | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 4,800 |
| MCT trail UPRR abandon R | Illinois | Good | 1940 | 86 | 8,850 |
| MOONEY CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 4,450 |
| DRAIN TO HRSESHOE LK | Illinois | Good | 1940 | 86 | 6,800 |
| POPLAR CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,000 |
| BRANCH CROOKED CREEK | Illinois | Good | 1940 | 86 | 2,500 |
| DAVIDSON CREEK | Illinois | Good | 1940 | 86 | 525 |
| MUD CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 4,200 |
| ROCK RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 7,100 |
| BUFFALO CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 25 |
| BIG HOLLOW CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 35,400 |
| HOG CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 20 |
| KCS RR | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 725 |
| BAY CREEK TRIBUTARY | Illinois | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 50 |
| BEAR BRANCH | Illinois | Good | 1940 | 86 | 25 |
| SANDY CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 50 |
| ALL FORKS | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 650 |
| Coal Creek | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 2,650 |
| HILLS CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 2,650 |
| ILL 92 RR & MISS R | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 22,400 |
| HARDING DITCH | Illinois | Good | 1940 | 86 | 5,900 |
| HARDING DITCH | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 30,000 |
| ILL 157 | Illinois | Good | 1940 | 86 | 28,800 |
| NSRR ICRR | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 28,700 |
| WALNUT CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 2,750 |
| SANDY CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 450 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 25 |
| MUD CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 75 |
| YELLOW CR. BR. | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 2,400 |
| YELLOW CREEK | Illinois | Good | 1940 | 86 | 2,400 |
| BROWN CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,050 |
| BR OF YELLOW CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 175 |
| BRANCH SPRING CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 725 |
| Mackinaw River Over | Illinois | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 3,950 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,350 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 4,550 |
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.