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.

Clear
Bridge State Condition Year Built Age (Years) ADT
SPOON RIVER Illinois Fair 1947 79 1,150
KASKASKIA DITCH Illinois Poor 1947 79 625
SIMPSONS BRANCH Illinois Fair 1947 79 150
LITTLE CREEK Illinois Fair 1947 79 50
GREENWOOD AVE Illinois Poor 1947 79 152,900
LITTLE CAL RIVER Illinois Poor 1947 79 152,900
I- 94 BISHOP FORD Illinois Poor 1947 79 21,100
WELLERS DITCH Illinois Fair 1947 79 15,500
WELLERS DRN DTCH Illinois Fair 1947 79 2,250
SO BR KISHWAUKEE RV Illinois Fair 1947 79 3,050
UNION DITCH #1 Illinois Poor 1947 79 900
COAL CREEK Illinois Fair 1947 79 675
CSXT RR Illinois Fair 1947 79 11,350
BIG CREEK Illinois Fair 1947 79 225
SPRING CREEK Illinois Fair 1947 79 25
VIRGIL DR DITCH NO.3 Illinois Fair 1947 79 375
FIRST CR Illinois Poor 1947 79 100
VERMILLION RIVER Illinois Fair 1947 79 7,700
PIKE CREEK Illinois Good 1947 79 400
LOCAL DRAINAGE Illinois Fair 1947 79 150
Slough Creek Illinois Poor 1947 79 6,300
W BRANCH PISCASAW CR Illinois Poor 1947 79 50
NSRR Illinois Fair 1947 79 9,950
THENIUS CREEK Illinois Fair 1947 79 3,250
LOCAL DITCH Illinois Fair 1947 79 600
EDWARDS RIVER Illinois Fair 1947 79 775
KCS RR Illinois Fair 1947 79 2,400
MAUVAISE TERRE CR Illinois Fair 1947 79 850
WALNUT CREEK Illinois Fair 1947 79 300
HAYES CREEK Illinois Poor 1947 79 1,200
STREAM Illinois Poor 1947 79 1,150
STREAM Illinois Good 1947 79 1,150
SUGAR CREEK Illinois Fair 1947 79 50
COON CREEK Illinois Fair 1947 79 75
SCHOENBERGER CK Illinois Fair 1947 79 3,150
LICK CREEK Illinois Fair 1947 79 1,450
LICK CREEK Illinois Fair 1947 79 250
STREAM Illinois Fair 1947 79 35
YELLOW CREEK Illinois Good 1947 79 325
BR OF PECATONICA RIV Illinois Fair 1947 79 225
BRUSH CREEK Illinois Poor 1947 79 25
W. F. SUGAR CREEK Illinois Fair 1947 79 950
STREAM Illinois Fair 1947 79 900
DILLON CREEK Illinois Good 1947 79 1,400
STREAM Illinois Fair 1947 79 100
SPRING SLOUGH Illinois Fair 1947 79 2,100
DUPAGE RIVER Illinois Fair 1947 79 4,900
I&M CANAL Illinois Good 1947 79 4,900
FALL CREEK Illinois Fair 1948 78 500
DRAINAGE DITCH Illinois Poor 1948 78 2,500

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.