Historic Bridges in Michigan

1,528 bridges built before 1951 in Michigan still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 1,528 bridges in Michigan 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
WERNERS CREEK Michigan Fair 1922 104 5
DUCK CREEK Michigan Poor 1922 104 5
DOWAGIAC RIVER Michigan Fair 1923 103 306
HOLDEN DRAIN Michigan Fair 1923 103 9,585
STURGEON RIVER Michigan Fair 1923 103 327
BATTLE CREEK RIVER Michigan Poor 1923 103 200
S BR LITTLE SUGAR RIVER Michigan Good 1923 103 5,963
N BR CEDAR RIVER Michigan Fair 1923 103 1,596
JACKSON CREEK Michigan Poor 1923 103 34
E BRANCH PINNEBOG RIVER Michigan Fair 1923 103 820
TUPPER CREEK Michigan Poor 1923 103 123
OLSON CREEK Michigan Fair 1923 103 10,377
ORE CREEK Michigan Poor 1923 103 730
VENTRE DE BEUF Michigan Fair 1923 103 7,912
BRANCH OF SAND CREEK Michigan Poor 1923 103 3,060
SAND CREEK Michigan Fair 1923 103 840
CROCKERY CREEK TRIBUTARY Michigan Poor 1923 103 3,040
CROCKERY CREEK Michigan Fair 1923 103 3,040
PINE RIVER Michigan Poor 1923 103 115
ELIZABETH PK CANAL Michigan Fair 1923 103 5,140
DEQUINDRE CUT GREENWAY Michigan Good 1923 103 24,127
DEQUINDRE CUT GREENWAY Michigan Fair 1923 103 15,014
SWAN CREEK Michigan Poor 1924 102 1,077
ROCK RIVER Michigan Poor 1924 102 17
QUANICASSEE RIVER Michigan Poor 1924 102 96
BETSIE RIVER Michigan Fair 1924 102 4,712
HICKORY CREEK Michigan Poor 1924 102 179
PIPESTONE CREEK Michigan Poor 1924 102 4
DOWAGIAC CREEK Michigan Fair 1924 102 4,034
MUD CREEK Michigan Fair 1924 102 161
SPAULDING EXTENSION Michigan Poor 1924 102 264
SPAULDING EXTENSION Michigan Poor 1924 102 160
LOST CREEK Michigan Poor 1924 102 86
WIEBER CREEK Michigan Poor 1924 102 86
HAYWORTH CREEK Michigan Fair 1924 102 180
MAPLE RIVER Michigan Poor 1924 102 86
MORRIS DRAIN Michigan Poor 1924 102 47
VERMILION CREEK Michigan Fair 1924 102 75
SHIAWASSEE RIVER Michigan Good 1924 102 1,618
SWARTZ CREEK Michigan Poor 1924 102
RED CEDAR RIVER Michigan Poor 1924 102 13,900
GRAND RIVER Michigan Good 1924 102 3,815
PAINT RIVER Michigan Fair 1924 102 3,080
BRULE RIVER Michigan Fair 1924 102 3
HEMLOCK RIVER Michigan Poor 1924 102 103
ROGUE RIVER Michigan Fair 1924 102 3,797
BALDWIN RIVER Michigan Poor 1924 102 140
PERE MARQUETTE RIVER Michigan Fair 1924 102 6,828
OTTER CREEK Michigan Poor 1924 102 7,446
BLACK CREEK Michigan Fair 1924 102 13,386

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.