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.

Clear
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.