Historic Bridges in New Mexico
719 bridges built before 1951 in New Mexico still in service today.
Bridges Built Before 1951
The United States has 719 bridges in New Mexico 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIVE MILE DRAW | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 3,591 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Good | 1937 | 89 | 5,229 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Good | 1937 | 89 | 5,229 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 5,229 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 2,401 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 20,856 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 20,856 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Good | 1937 | 89 | 72 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Good | 1937 | 89 | 3,698 |
| EMPEDRADOS DRAW | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 20,607 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 54 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 41 |
| MULLIGAN GULCH | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 41 |
| SIMON CANYON | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 6,496 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 6,496 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 6,496 |
| SHEEP CREEK | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 27 |
| CRAWFORD HOLLOW | New Mexico | Good | 1937 | 89 | 27 |
| SILVER CANYON | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 27 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 27 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 3,714 |
| WILLOW CREEK | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,850 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 37,626 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 29,593 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 22,275 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 22,275 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 22,275 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 2,524 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 3,714 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 873 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 20,856 |
| TUSAS RIVER | New Mexico | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 75 |
| GALISTEO RIVER | New Mexico | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 337 |
| Sand Creek | New Mexico | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 158 |
| S.A. Canyon Tributary | New Mexico | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 158 |
| Bishop Canyon | New Mexico | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 158 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 3,714 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 5,313 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 3,714 |
| ARAGON WASH | New Mexico | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 5,806 |
| MITCHELL CANYON | New Mexico | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 5,806 |
| SAN JOSE CANYON | New Mexico | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 27 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 27 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 27 |
| PENASCO-CANYON | New Mexico | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 5,806 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Good | 1938 | 88 | 1,847 |
| BOONE DRAW | New Mexico | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,847 |
| KENNA DRAW | New Mexico | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,847 |
| KENNA DRAW | New Mexico | Good | 1938 | 88 | 1,847 |
| TRAQUES CREEK | New Mexico | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 2,636 |
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.