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
UP RR SPUR FRUITVALE AVE California Fair 1947 79 225,000
CALTRAIN & UP RR California Poor 1947 79 30,000
U.S. HIGHWAY 101 California Fair 1947 79 53,747
COLMA CREEK California Fair 1947 79 188,000
AIRPORT BOULEVARD California Fair 1947 79 188,000
MILLBRAE SLOUGH California Fair 1947 79 226,000
SAN BRUNO CANAL California Fair 1947 79 10,100
SOQUEL CREEK WHARF RD California Good 1947 79 97,000
WADDELL CREEK California Fair 1947 79 4,800
CORRALITOS CREEK California Fair 1947 79 22,000
COYOTE CREEK California Poor 1947 79 64,000
COYOTE CREEK California Poor 1947 79 64,000
COYOTE ROAD California Fair 1947 79 64,000
COYOTE ROAD California Fair 1947 79 64,000
FISHER CREEK California Fair 1947 79 5,536
CANADA DE LOS OSO California Good 1947 79 50
STEVENS CREEK California Fair 1947 79 810
PACHECO CREEK California Good 1947 79 60
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Fair 1947 79 2,810
FRANKLIN SLOUGH California Good 1947 79 28,000
WEBBER CANAL California Fair 1947 79 28,000
LOS BANOS CREEK California Fair 1947 79 3,650
ASHE DRAIN California Fair 1947 79 28,000
ASHE DRAIN California Fair 1947 79 28,000
CORBET CREEK California Good 1947 79 150
MARIPOSA CREEK California Poor 1947 79 200
COLONY MAIN CANAL California Poor 1947 79 3,025
HELM CANAL California Poor 1947 79 3,500
FRIANT-KERN CANAL California Fair 1947 79 4,375
ENTERPRISE CANAL California Fair 1947 79 7,900
FRIANT-KERN CANAL California Fair 1947 79 5,835
FRIANT-KERN CANAL California Fair 1947 79 1,000
BALD MILL CREEK California Fair 1947 79 200
FRIANT-KERN CANAL California Fair 1947 79 500
FANCHER CREEK California Fair 1947 79 900
HERNDON CANAL California Fair 1947 79 300
LOS GATOS CREEK California Good 1947 79 100
LOS GATOS CREEK California Good 1947 79 100
LOS AGUILAS CREEK California Poor 1947 79 800
FINCH CREEK California Poor 1947 79 290
LEWIS CREEK California Poor 1947 79 150
CALERA CREEK California Fair 1947 79 5,700
LAS GAZAS CREEK California Fair 1947 79 3,600
ST JOHNS RIVER California Fair 1947 79 1,270
ST JOHNS RIVER California Good 1947 79 1,000
WHITE RIVER California Fair 1947 79 1,025
SPEAR CREEK California Good 1947 79 200
SAND CREEK California Good 1947 79 150
TULARE IRRIG DIST CANAL California Fair 1947 79 1,800
FRIANT-KERN CANAL California Fair 1947 79 100

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.