Historic Bridges in Iowa

3,036 bridges built before 1951 in Iowa still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 3,036 bridges in Iowa 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
TRIB TO SPRING CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 5
BRANCH NORTH WOLF CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 15
BRANCH OTTER CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 15
SOUTH RIVER Iowa Fair 1950 76 11
S RIVER Iowa Poor 1950 76 100
SOUTH RIVER Iowa Fair 1950 76 280
MIDDLE RIVER Iowa Poor 1950 76 72
DEER CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 30
BADGER CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 390
SMALL STREAM Iowa Fair 1950 76 60
DRAINAGE DITCH Iowa Poor 1950 76 35
WALNUT CREEK (TEN MILE) Iowa Fair 1950 76 344
SMALL STREAM Iowa Fair 1950 76 344
WOLF CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 20
STREAM Iowa Poor 1950 76 15
STREAM Iowa Poor 1950 76 5
STREAM Iowa Fair 1950 76 330
WRIGHT CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 11
WRIGHT CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 11
STREAM Iowa Poor 1950 76 5
STREAM Iowa Poor 1950 76 15
STREAM Iowa Poor 1950 76 50
CREEK Iowa Poor 1950 76 60
STREAM Iowa Fair 1950 76 11
STREAM Iowa Poor 1950 76 80
IOWA RIVER Iowa Poor 1950 76 2,340
SMALL STREAM Iowa Poor 1950 76 11
STREAM Iowa Fair 1950 76 34
CAMP CREEK TRIBUTARY Iowa Poor 1950 76 10
CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 80
SMALL STREAM Iowa Fair 1950 76 69
OVER IAIS RR Iowa Fair 1950 76 40
CREEK Iowa Fair 1950 76 60
STREAM Iowa Poor 1950 76 11
ROCK BRANCH Iowa Fair 1950 76 50
STREAM Iowa Poor 1950 76 100

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.