Historic Bridges in California

4,414 bridges built before 1951 in California still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 4,414 bridges in California 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
SHOAT DRAW California Good 1940 86 20
SACRAMENTO RIV OVERFLOW California Good 1940 86 319
WILLOW CREEK California Fair 1940 86 21
C.I.C. DRAIN California Fair 1940 86 208
C.I.C. DRAIN California Fair 1940 86 57
BRANCH WALKER CREEK California Poor 1940 86 647
BIG BUTTE CREEK OVERFLOW California Fair 1940 86 930
PINE CREEK California Fair 1940 86 49
CLEAR CREEK California Fair 1940 86 106
SUTTER-BUTTE CANAL California Poor 1940 86 10
CAMPBELL CREEK OVERFLOW California Fair 1940 86 456
WATT LATERAL (IRRIG LAT) California Poor 1940 86 10
COMANCHE CREEK California Fair 1940 86 213
LITTLE CHICO CREEK California Fair 1940 86 6,112
BRANCH ROCKYHONCUT CREEK California Fair 1940 86 1,740
BARE POLE DITCH California Fair 1940 86 85
CHANNEL CROSSING California Fair 1940 86 93
ROCK CREEK California Fair 1940 86 83
KEEFER SLOUGH California Fair 1940 86 2,900
BRANCH WYMAN RAVINE California Fair 1940 86 7,160
WESTERN CANAL California Poor 1940 86 110
BIGGS EXTENSION CANAL California Fair 1940 86 70
MAIN DRAINAGE CANAL California Fair 1940 86 280
UNKNOWN DRAIN California Fair 1940 86 190
CHEROKEE CREEK California Fair 1940 86 20
ANDERSON CREEK California Fair 1940 86 154
COLE CREEK California Fair 1940 86 114
SALT CREEK California Fair 1940 86 4,950
GLENN-COLUSA CANAL California Fair 1940 86 650
GLENN-COLUSA CANAL California Fair 1940 86 42
SOUTH HONCUT CREEK California Fair 1940 86 730
TROUT CREEK California Fair 1940 86 2,600
SUTTER-BUTTE CANAL California Fair 1940 86 75
SUTTER CO EXTENSION CNL California Poor 1940 86 177
SUTTER CO EXTENSION CNL California Poor 1940 86 325
AUBURN RAVINE California Fair 1940 86 1,611
AUBURN RAVINE California Fair 1940 86 841
DRY CREEK California Fair 1940 86 7,681
SHIRT TAIL CREEK California Fair 1940 86 25
CURRY CREEK California Fair 1940 86 739
DOTY RAVINE California Fair 1940 86 112
SOUTH CANAL California Fair 1940 86 262
RUSSIAN GULCH California Fair 1940 86 2,225
RUSSIAN RIVER California Fair 1940 86 8,450
PETALUMA RIVER California Fair 1940 86 4,200
DOWDALL CREEK California Fair 1940 86 350
AUSTIN CREEK California Fair 1940 86 60
AMERICAN CANYON CREEK California Good 1940 86 16,278
YOUNTVILLE OVERFLOW California Fair 1940 86 161
SALT CREEK California Fair 1940 86 20

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.