Historic Bridges in Nebraska
3,270 bridges built before 1951 in Nebraska still in service today.
Bridges Built Before 1951
The United States has 3,270 bridges in Nebraska 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELKHORN RIVER | Nebraska | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 2,210 |
| PARK/PAPIO/UP 816-853-S | Nebraska | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 11,100 |
| WILL STAFFORD CANYON | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 900 |
| NESBIT CREEK | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 900 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 900 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 900 |
| N FK REPUBLICAN RIVER | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 1,385 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 1,520 |
| CHEYENNE CANYON | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 1,520 |
| BLACKWATER CANYON | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 1,520 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 1,245 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 1,245 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 1,245 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 2,940 |
| CENTER CREEK | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 420 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 610 |
| TURKEY CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 205 |
| OMAHA CREEK TRIBUTARY | Nebraska | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 8,480 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 2,760 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 5,645 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 8,565 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 4,615 |
| N FK ELKHORN RIVER TRIB | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 4,615 |
| N FK ELKHORN RIVER TRIB | Nebraska | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 4,615 |
| MIDDLE CREEK | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 335 |
| OAK CREEK | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 880 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 3,760 |
| MISSOURI RIVER | Nebraska | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 2,450 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 830 |
| ELKHORN RIVER TRIB | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 2,815 |
| ELKHORN RIVER TRIBUTARY | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 2,815 |
| ELKHORN RIVER TRIBUTARY | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 2,815 |
| ELKHORN RIVER TRIBUTARY | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 2,815 |
| ELKHORN RIVER TRIBUTARY | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 2,815 |
| HAIL CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 2,815 |
| RUSH CREEK TRIBUTARY | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 2,365 |
| CHADRON CREEK TRIBUTARY | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 1,890 |
| LODGEPOLE CREEK | Nebraska | Good | 1938 | 88 | 905 |
| LINCOLN AVE | Nebraska | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,315 |
| LINCOLN AVE | Nebraska | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 965 |
| WHITE RIVER TRIB | Nebraska | Good | 1939 | 87 | 50 |
| INDIAN CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 150 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 60 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 350 |
| YANKEE CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 70 |
| STREAM (X 40) | Nebraska | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 27 |
| SPRING BRANCH (W 116) | Nebraska | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 278 |
| SALT CREEK (T 212) | Nebraska | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 181 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1939 | 87 | 135 |
| LINCOLN CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 85 |
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.