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
L A RI RR CENTER MISSION California Good 1944 82 137,000
ROUTE 101 NBND California Good 1944 82 50,000
SAN FRANCISQUITO CYN CRK California Fair 1944 82 1
SAN FRANCISQUITO CYN CRK California Good 1944 82 4,458
SAN FRANCISQUITO CYN CRK California Fair 1944 82 4,458
KITT HWY USN RR California Good 1944 82 41,000
LAKE FULMOR California Good 1944 82 1,836
BANNER CREEK California Good 1944 82 138
CEDAR CREEK California Good 1944 82 77
HARBISON CYN CREEK California Fair 1944 82 220
DOG CREEK California Fair 1944 82 50
HAYFORK CREEK California Fair 1945 81 330
OREGON GULCH California Good 1945 81 3,728
ASH CREEK TRIBUTARY California Fair 1945 81 200
WILLOW CREEK California Fair 1945 81 647
SWALLOW DRAIN California Fair 1945 81 45
COLUSA DRAIN California Good 1945 81 113
PRINCETON-CODORA CANAL California Fair 1945 81 316
COLUSA DRAIN California Fair 1945 81 8
ANDERSON CREEK California Fair 1945 81 104
LIVE OAK CANAL California Fair 1945 81 391
COON CREEK California Poor 1945 81 209
SAGE CREEK California Fair 1945 81 2,125
OAT CREEK California Fair 1945 81 50
ARCADE CREEK California Fair 1945 81 80,000
STRONG RANCH SLOUGH California Good 1945 81 47,689
LAGUNA CREEK California Poor 1945 81 400
E.I.D. CANAL California Good 1945 81 780
SQUAW HOLLOW CREEK California Good 1945 81 1,985
SOUTH FORK COSUMNES RIV California Fair 1945 81 56
SSJID CANAL California Fair 1945 81 2,375
SULLIVAN CREEK California Good 1945 81 1,800
ISLAIS CREEK California Fair 1945 81 50,000
FISHER CREEK California Good 1945 81 160
T.I.D. CERES MAIN CANAL California Fair 1945 81 250
BEAR CREEK California Fair 1945 81 80
EL CAPITAN CANAL California Fair 1945 81 300
EL CAPITAN CANAL California Fair 1945 81 500
OUTSIDE CANAL California Fair 1945 81 95
OUTSIDE CANAL California Poor 1945 81 265
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Fair 1945 81 158
CROSSCUT CANAL California Fair 1945 81 100
CRESCENT DITCH California Poor 1945 81 50
TRAVERS CREEK California Fair 1945 81 485
REEDLEY MAIN CANAL California Good 1945 81 325
LOS GATOS CREEK California Poor 1945 81 100
SAND CREEK California Fair 1945 81 300
3RD LIFT CANAL California Good 1945 81 250
CRESCENT DITCH California Fair 1945 81 120
STINSON CANAL California Fair 1945 81 100

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.