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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 1,310 |
| MUDDY CREEK | Nebraska | Good | 1941 | 85 | 1,410 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 13,470 |
| BETZ DITCH | Nebraska | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 13,470 |
| MUD CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 13,710 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1942 | 84 | 100 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 100 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Poor | 1942 | 84 | 4,215 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Poor | 1942 | 84 | 4,215 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1942 | 84 | 1,265 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1942 | 84 | 1,265 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1942 | 84 | 1,720 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 7,955 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 30 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 40 |
| SILVER CREEK | Nebraska | Poor | 1943 | 83 | 40 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1943 | 83 | 4,210 |
| SILVER CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 4,210 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 630 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1943 | 83 | 2,280 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1943 | 83 | 3,695 |
| REPUBLICAN RIVER TRIB | Nebraska | Good | 1943 | 83 | 720 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1943 | 83 | 720 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1943 | 83 | 3,460 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1943 | 83 | 3,070 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1944 | 82 | 540 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1944 | 82 | 830 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1944 | 82 | 785 |
| LODGEPOLE CREEK TRIB | Nebraska | Good | 1944 | 82 | 885 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1944 | 82 | 885 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1944 | 82 | 885 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1944 | 82 | 885 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1944 | 82 | 885 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1944 | 82 | 1,235 |
| ELKHORN RIVER | Nebraska | Fair | 1944 | 82 | 3,695 |
| N FK BIG NEMAHA RIVER | Nebraska | Good | 1944 | 82 | 1,790 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1944 | 82 | 2,980 |
| Mirage Flats Canal | Nebraska | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 5 |
| Mirage Flats Canal | Nebraska | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 5 |
| BAZILE CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 5 |
| MIDDLE LOGAN CREEK TRIB | Nebraska | Poor | 1945 | 81 | 25 |
| DRY WASH | Nebraska | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 270 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 215 |
| WAHOO CREEK TRIB. | Nebraska | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 50 |
| DUNLAP CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 50 |
| WAHOO CREEK | Nebraska | Poor | 1945 | 81 | 100 |
| N FK ROCK CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 6,010 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Poor | 1945 | 81 | 10 |
| BIG SLOUGH CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 40 |
| MILL CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1945 | 81 | 25 |
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.