Historic Bridges in California

4,414 bridges built before 1951 in California still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 4,414 bridges in California 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
VERDUGO WASH California Good 1941 85 1,326
LOS ANGELES RIVER California Good 1941 85 14,800
DRN CHAN California Good 1941 85 31,091
BIG DALTON WASH California Poor 1941 85 35,490
DOUGLAS PUC N California Good 1941 85 35,616
MOJAVE RIVER California Fair 1941 85 2,919
NEEDLES FLOOD CONTROL CH California Fair 1941 85 5,141
SANTIAGO CREEK CHANNEL California Fair 1941 85 27,600
FULLERTON DAM DIV CHAN California Poor 1941 85 10,400
BLUE RIDGE WASH California Fair 1941 85 35,190
INDIAN WASH California Fair 1941 85 1,498
CHIHUAHUA CREEK California Good 1941 85 1,700
S BRNCH SANTA YSABEL CRK California Good 1941 85 3,150
WEST RINCON CREEK California Good 1941 85 10,800
QUAIL CREEK California Good 1941 85 676
MYER CREEK California Good 1941 85 7,105
MYER CREEK California Good 1941 85 7,105
MYER CREEK California Good 1941 85 7,105
MCCLOUD RIVER/SHASTA LK. California Fair 1941 85 50
DIDALLIS CREEK California Good 1941 85 50
WEST FORK DIDALLIS CREEK California Good 1941 85 50
KESWICK DAM SPILLWAY California Good 1942 84 1,000
STANSHAW CREEK California Fair 1942 84 330
SANDY BAR CREEK California Good 1942 84 330
A.C.I.D. CANAL California Fair 1942 84 23,000
OREGON GULCH California Fair 1942 84 23,000
CANYON CREEK California Fair 1942 84 23,000
NORTH FORK ELDER CREEK California Fair 1942 84 80
SOUTH FORK ELDER CREEK California Fair 1942 84 90
OAT CREEK California Fair 1942 84 1,218
MILL CREEK BRANCH California Fair 1942 84 40
MIDDLE FORK ELDER CREEK California Fair 1942 84 500
MCNAB CREEK California Fair 1942 84 13,800
ROSETTI CREEK California Good 1942 84 13,800
CRAWFORD CREEK California Good 1942 84 13,800
WALKER CREEK California Good 1942 84 3,050
MAIN DRAINAGE CANAL California Fair 1942 84 89
SULPHUR SPRING VALLEY CR California Fair 1942 84 5,681
UP RR BNSF RY NORTHGATE California Fair 1942 84 26,500
UPPER TRUCKEE RIVER California Fair 1942 84 1,020
ROCKY CREEK California Good 1942 84 22,300
MOKELUMNE RIVER California Fair 1942 84 15,000
ZAYANTE CREEK California Good 1942 84 2,000
ZAYANTE CREEK California Good 1942 84 2,000
MARIPOSA CREEK California Fair 1942 84 6,600
PITMAN CREEK California Fair 1942 84 200
FRESNO CANAL California Fair 1942 84 3,200
HOUGHTON CANAL California Fair 1942 84 340
HERNDON CANAL California Fair 1942 84 200
LIBERTY DITCH California Poor 1942 84 300

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.