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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BELMONT CANAL | Nebraska | Good | 1947 | 79 | 2,940 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1947 | 79 | 800 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1947 | 79 | 800 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1947 | 79 | 455 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1947 | 79 | 1,140 |
| ELKHORN RIVER | Nebraska | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 1,420 |
| WILSON CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 120 |
| WEST BOW CR. TRIB.AND OV | Nebraska | Good | 1947 | 79 | 3,475 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 2,815 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 1,080 |
| Enders Dam Spillway | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 150 |
| ELM CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 225 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 225 |
| SALT CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 240 |
| TURKEY CREEK | Nebraska | Poor | 1948 | 78 | 10 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 10 |
| S FK TURKEY CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 35 |
| NORTH BRUSHY CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 150 |
| CEDAR RIVER | Nebraska | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 45 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 35 |
| BLACKWOOD CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 15 |
| SALT CREEK (G 222) | Nebraska | Poor | 1948 | 78 | 119 |
| ROCK CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 115 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Poor | 1948 | 78 | 35 |
| MITCHELL-GERING CANAL | Nebraska | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 670 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 790 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 790 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 3,145 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 3,145 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 5,845 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 3,785 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 2,300 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 830 |
| STAGE CREEK | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 995 |
| WELLS CANYON | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 1,535 |
| CURTIS CREEK | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 955 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 2,465 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 2,465 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 2,465 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 1,580 |
| DRY CREEK | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 475 |
| S FK ELKHORN RIVER | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 300 |
| STREAM | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 300 |
| REPUBLICAN RIVER OVERFLO | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 250 |
| REPUBLICAN RIVER | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 250 |
| REPUBLICAN RIVER OVERFLO | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 250 |
| CRUM CREEK TRIBUTARY | Nebraska | Good | 1948 | 78 | 955 |
| N BR WEEPING WATER CREEK | Nebraska | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 405 |
| STEVENS CREEK TRIB | Nebraska | Poor | 1948 | 78 | 350 |
| Medicine Creek Spillway | Nebraska | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 170 |
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.