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.
| 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.