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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I- 94 EDENS | Illinois | Poor | 1949 | 77 | 8,250 |
| I- 94 EDENS | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 22,400 |
| I- 94 US41 EDENS | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 12,600 |
| N BR CHICAGO RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 7,200 |
| NORTH CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 3,650 |
| MAIN BR CHICAGO RIV | Illinois | Poor | 1949 | 77 | 6,900 |
| LITTLE CALUMET RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1949 | 77 | 23,400 |
| VARIOUS CITY STRTS | Illinois | Poor | 1949 | 77 | 6,900 |
| SILVER CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1949 | 77 | 750 |
| CAL UNION DRAIN DITC | Illinois | Good | 1949 | 77 | 4,150 |
| BIG MUDDY CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 2,150 |
| MUDDY CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 150 |
| BR INDIAN CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 575 |
| SO BR KISHWAUKEE RV | Illinois | Poor | 1949 | 77 | 1,000 |
| SAWMILL CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1949 | 77 | 75 |
| BONPAS CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 1,000 |
| TRIB BIG RILEY RUN | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 750 |
| BRANCH SPOON RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 50 |
| BRANCH SPOON RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1949 | 77 | 50 |
| LA HARPE CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1949 | 77 | 225 |
| ACME DITCH | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 75 |
| SHAFFER CR. | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 325 |
| EDWARDS R. TRIB. | Illinois | Poor | 1949 | 77 | 275 |
| VIRGIL DR DITCH NO.2 | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | - |
| VIRGIL DR DITCH NO.3 | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 1,600 |
| E BR FOX RIVER | Illinois | Good | 1949 | 77 | 13,200 |
| W BR FOX RIVER | Illinois | Good | 1949 | 77 | 13,200 |
| FOX RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1949 | 77 | 6,900 |
| INDIAN CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 75 |
| CAMP CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 850 |
| Chain of Rocks Cn & 2 LR | Illinois | Poor | 1949 | 77 | 525 |
| C & IM RR CO | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 1,000 |
| HARRISONVILL DITCH | Illinois | Good | 1949 | 77 | 50 |
| MACOUPIN CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 450 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 1,200 |
| SCHOENBERGER CR. | Illinois | Poor | 1949 | 77 | 775 |
| BRUSH CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 150 |
| MACKINAW RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 1,550 |
| LITTLE VERMILION RIV | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 950 |
| LITTLE BONPAS CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 950 |
| S HENDERSON CR | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 450 |
| LITTLE WABASH RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 6,350 |
| SKILLET FORK | Illinois | Poor | 1949 | 77 | 875 |
| PLUM CREEK | Illinois | Good | 1949 | 77 | 10,600 |
| BRANCH | Illinois | Good | 1950 | 76 | 850 |
| MCKEE CREEK | Illinois | Good | 1950 | 76 | 1,400 |
| Adams Creek | Illinois | Poor | 1950 | 76 | 50 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 125 |
| COTTONWOOD BRANCH | Illinois | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 20 |
| COTTONWOOD BRANCH | Illinois | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 20 |
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.