Historic Bridges in Illinois
3,065 bridges built before 1951 in Illinois still in service today.
Bridges Built Before 1951
The United States has 3,065 bridges in Illinois 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BR OF YELLOW CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 100 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 75 |
| N FORK VERMILION RIV | Illinois | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 12,500 |
| US 150(FAP 729) | Illinois | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 1,050 |
| STONY CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 7,150 |
| BR COON CR | Illinois | Good | 1950 | 76 | 25 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 800 |
| BR OF CATTAIL CR | Illinois | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 850 |
| W.B.DESPLAINES RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 7,100 |
| W.B.DESPLAINES RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 7,100 |
| E.B.DESPLAINES RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 7,100 |
| E.B.DESPLAINES RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 7,100 |
| MADIGAN CREEK | Illinois | Good | 1950 | 76 | 225 |
| UNNAMED CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 1,200 |
| TRIB W BR PANTHER CR | Illinois | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 750 |
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.