Historic Bridges in Minnesota

1,035 bridges built before 1951 in Minnesota still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 1,035 bridges in Minnesota 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 Minnesota Fair 1925 101 2,050
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1925 101 2,050
SHELL RIVER Minnesota Fair 1925 101 5,300
LE SUEUR CREEK Minnesota Fair 1925 101 131
SAND CREEK Minnesota Fair 1925 101 409
MILLER CREEK Minnesota Fair 1925 101 7,020
MAPLE LAKE OUTLET (DAM) Minnesota Fair 1925 101 5
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1925 101 92
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1925 101 930
BIG COTTONWOOD RIVER Minnesota Fair 1925 101 13
DRY RUN Minnesota Fair 1925 101 75
S BR YELLOW MEDICINE R Minnesota Fair 1925 101 29
S BR YELLOW MEDICINE R Minnesota Poor 1925 101 25
MINNEHAHA CREEK Minnesota Fair 1925 101 867
MINNEHAHA CREEK Minnesota Fair 1925 101 867
MINNEHAHA CREEK Minnesota Fair 1925 101 5,000
TISCHERS CREEK Minnesota Fair 1925 101 1,763
DRY CREEK Minnesota Fair 1925 101 30
ELM CREEK Minnesota Poor 1925 101 16
BR CO DITCH 66 Minnesota Poor 1925 101 4
SAND HILL RIVER Minnesota Poor 1925 101 8
BNSF RR Minnesota Poor 1925 101 36
POPLAR RIVER Minnesota Fair 1925 101 8
CANBY CREEK Minnesota Fair 1925 101 20
ST AUGUSTA CREEK Minnesota Poor 1925 101 1
MINN RIVER RR STREET Minnesota Fair 1926 100 47,417
DITCH Minnesota Fair 1926 100 5,200
RICE CREEK Minnesota Fair 1926 100 3,819
MC RY Minnesota Poor 1926 100 5,800
CP RAIL Minnesota Fair 1926 100 13,300
MAPLE RIVER Minnesota Good 1926 100 75
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1926 100 25
STREAM Minnesota Good 1926 100 796
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1926 100 796
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1926 100 2,050
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1926 100 2,050
STREAM Minnesota Good 1926 100 2,050
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1926 100 2,050
DITCH Minnesota Fair 1926 100 16,334
MISSISSIPPI RIVER; RR Minnesota Poor 1926 100 17,600
MINNEHAHA CREEK Minnesota Fair 1926 100 31,067
VERMILLION RIVER Minnesota Fair 1926 100 115
CO DITCH #22 Minnesota Fair 1926 100 4
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1926 100 8
STREAM Minnesota Poor 1926 100 4
MINNEHAHA CREEK Minnesota Fair 1926 100 1,200
MISS R; MISS BL Minnesota Fair 1927 99 18,900
RAVINE Minnesota Fair 1927 99 3,150
CP RAIL Minnesota Poor 1927 99 19,510
FLORIDA CREEK Minnesota Fair 1927 99 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.