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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LILLIAN CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 75 |
| COTTONWOOD CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 15 |
| CLEAR CREEK | Nebraska | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 10 |
| MUD CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 30 |
| EAST BOXELDER CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 25 |
| MINNOW CREEK | Nebraska | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 5 |
| WILDCAT CREEK | Nebraska | Good | 1940 | 86 | 20 |
| BIG INDIAN CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 45 |
| BLOODY RUN | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 205 |
| MUD CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 20 |
| CEDAR CREEK | Nebraska | Good | 1940 | 86 | 5 |
| SILVER CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 30 |
| SILVER CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 65 |
| M CH PLATTE RIVER | Nebraska | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 15 |
| M CH PLATTE RIVER | Nebraska | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 15 |
| N BR BIG BLUE RIVER | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 40 |
| REDBIRD CREEK | Nebraska | Good | 1940 | 86 | 10 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1940 | 86 | 40 |
| DRY CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 35 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 35 |
| INDIAN CREEK | Nebraska | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 35 |
| CUB CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 35 |
| ROCK CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 100 |
| SANDERS CREEK | Nebraska | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 35 |
| STREAM (X 22) | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 42 |
| SPRING BRANCH (W 159) | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 85 |
| LITTLE SALT CR (C 253) | Nebraska | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 76 |
| MUDDY CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 125 |
| COTTONWOOD CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 100 |
| TAYLOR BRANCH | Nebraska | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 10 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1940 | 86 | 269 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1940 | 86 | 265 |
| BLACKWOOD CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 265 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1940 | 86 | 265 |
| N BR BIG BLUE RIVER | Nebraska | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 70 |
| LITTLE MUDDY CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 40 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 50 |
| HALFBREED CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 35 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 30 |
| SILVER BRANCH | Nebraska | Good | 1940 | 86 | 40 |
| BIG BLUE RIVER | Nebraska | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 60 |
| TURKEY CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 45 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 50 |
| DRY CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 60 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1940 | 86 | 20 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 20 |
| SPRING CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 115 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 10,020 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 35 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 35 |
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.