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.

Clear
Bridge State Condition Year Built Age (Years) ADT
STREAM Nebraska Good 1940 86 855
STREAM Nebraska Fair 1940 86 675
ELKHORN RIVER Nebraska Good 1940 86 4,025
STREAM Nebraska Good 1940 86 5,645
UNION CREEK TRIBUTARY Nebraska Fair 1940 86 7,875
LITTLE BAZILE CRK TRIB Nebraska Good 1940 86 1,320
STREAM Nebraska Good 1940 86 475
CLEAR CREEK TRIB Nebraska Good 1940 86 1,360
SICILY CREEK Nebraska Fair 1940 86 1,090
FARMERS CREEK TRIBUTARY Nebraska Good 1940 86 620
STREAM Nebraska Good 1940 86 620
STREAM Nebraska Good 1940 86 620
SCHOOL CREEK Nebraska Good 1940 86 620
STREAM Nebraska Good 1940 86 620
STREAM Nebraska Good 1940 86 620
STREAM Nebraska Fair 1940 86 1,310
DRY CREEK Nebraska Poor 1940 86 1,310
WHISKEY SLOUGH Nebraska Good 1940 86 3,670
BUFFALO CREEK Nebraska Good 1940 86 5,160
ELM CREEK TRIB/OVERFLOW Nebraska Good 1940 86 5,160
ELM CREEK OVERFLOW Nebraska Good 1940 86 5,160
DRY CREEK Nebraska Good 1940 86 1,660
DRY CREEK TRIB Nebraska Good 1940 86 1,660
DRY CREEK Nebraska Fair 1940 86 1,660
STREAM Nebraska Good 1940 86 510
STREAM Nebraska Fair 1941 85 25
PRAIRIE CREEK Nebraska Poor 1941 85 30
STREAM (J 198) Nebraska Fair 1941 85 108
STREAM (R 156) Nebraska Fair 1941 85 166
STREAM (J 47) Nebraska Fair 1941 85 265
STEVENS CREEK (J 46) Nebraska Fair 1941 85 265
PRAIRIE CREEK Nebraska Poor 1941 85 15
BIG NEMAHA RIVER TRIB Nebraska Poor 1941 85 20
REPUBLICAN RIVER TRIB Nebraska Good 1941 85 1,035
REPUBLICAN RIVER TRIB Nebraska Fair 1941 85 1,035
CROSBY CREEK Nebraska Good 1941 85 1,035
RED WILLOW CREEK Nebraska Fair 1941 85 625
STREAM Nebraska Good 1941 85 4,745
BIG BLUE TRIB Nebraska Good 1941 85 4,745
STREAM Nebraska Fair 1941 85 50
STREAM Nebraska Fair 1941 85 1,990
STREAM Nebraska Fair 1941 85 1,820
BUTTERFLY CREEK Nebraska Fair 1941 85 1,140
STREAM Nebraska Good 1941 85 585
FOSTER CREEK Nebraska Fair 1941 85 585
STREAM Nebraska Fair 1941 85 650
STREAM Nebraska Fair 1941 85 1,460
STREAM Nebraska Good 1941 85 1,460
STREAM Nebraska Good 1941 85 1,725
STREAM Nebraska Good 1941 85 1,725

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.