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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.