Historic Bridges in Iowa

3,036 bridges built before 1951 in Iowa still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 3,036 bridges in Iowa 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
MIDDLE WILLOW CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 11
SHANE CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 50
ELK CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 26
PRAIRIE CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 59
LONG CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 60
FLINT RIVER Iowa Fair 1950 76 47
DOLBEE CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 35
EAST FORK CROOKED CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 26
SM CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 50
SMALL STREAM Iowa Fair 1950 76 769
CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 39
OTTER CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 571
HUNTER CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 471
STREAM Iowa Fair 1950 76 39
ALEXANDER CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 69
N BR VOLGA RIVER Iowa Poor 1950 76 34
VOLGA RIVER Iowa Fair 1950 76 471
BASS CREEK Iowa Good 1950 76 49
DRAINAGE DITCH NO 13 Iowa Poor 1950 76 21
PLUM CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 294
RACCOON RIVER Iowa Poor 1950 76 131
STREAM Iowa Fair 1950 76 26
HOG CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 417
SMALL CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 79
ALLEN CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 15
NORTH BIG CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 20
CRANE CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 69
LITTLE WAPSIPINICON Iowa Poor 1950 76 80
LITTLE WAPSIPINICAN RVR Iowa Fair 1950 76 88
UPPER IOWA Iowa Poor 1950 76 393
UPPER IOWA Iowa Poor 1950 76 393
UPPER IOWA Iowa Fair 1950 76 39
CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 40
ENGLISH RIVER Iowa Poor 1950 76 35
SMALL Iowa Poor 1950 76 160
CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 49
PUMPKIN CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 11
CREEK Iowa Good 1950 76 20
MAQUOKETA RIVER Iowa Poor 1950 76 330
PLEASANT CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 71
SMALL CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 500
DUCK CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 500
ELK CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 35
CALHOUN CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 47
PRAIRIE CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 47
SMALL STREAM Iowa Fair 1950 76 11
BURR OAK CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 30
STREAM Iowa Fair 1950 76 35
EAST BRANCH LICK CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 30
DRAINAGE Iowa Fair 1950 76 60

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.