Historic Bridges in Minnesota

1,035 bridges built before 1951 in Minnesota still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 1,035 bridges in Minnesota 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
SILVER CREEK Minnesota Fair 1927 99 570
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1927 99 2,434
STREAM Minnesota Good 1927 99 1,000
STREAM Minnesota Good 1927 99 1,000
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1927 99 590
STREAM Minnesota Good 1927 99 590
IRISH CREEK Minnesota Fair 1927 99 860
ASH CREEK Minnesota Fair 1927 99 1,802
NORWEGIAN CREEK Minnesota Fair 1927 99 823
DITCH Minnesota Fair 1927 99 5,130
DITCH Minnesota Fair 1927 99 4,200
DITCH Minnesota Fair 1927 99 4,200
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1927 99 103
YELLOW MEDICINE RIVER Minnesota Fair 1927 99 17
YELLOW MEDICINE RIVER Minnesota Fair 1927 99 1,003
YELLOW MEDICINE RIVER Minnesota Fair 1927 99 1,003
CEDAR RUN Minnesota Good 1927 99 130
CLEARWATER RIVER Minnesota Fair 1927 99 55
CHANARAMBIE CREEK Minnesota Fair 1927 99 45
COON CREEK Minnesota Fair 1927 99 247
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1927 99 66
MILLER CREEK; STREET Minnesota Poor 1927 99 358
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1928 98 796
BNSF RR Minnesota Fair 1928 98 305
GENEVA CREEK Minnesota Fair 1928 98 840
TURTLE CREEK Minnesota Fair 1928 98 4,544
DITCH Minnesota Fair 1928 98 4,544
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1928 98 796
JUD DITCH # 12 Minnesota Fair 1928 98 1,193
REDWOOD RIVER Minnesota Fair 1928 98 1,064
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1928 98 21,347
DITCH Minnesota Fair 1928 98 2,500
STREAM Minnesota Good 1928 98 796
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1928 98 796
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1928 98 796
KING CREEK Minnesota Fair 1928 98 340
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1929 97 1,397
MISS R; STS Minnesota Fair 1929 97 145
Mississippi River Minnesota Fair 1929 97 49,525
RED RIVER Minnesota Fair 1929 97 13,400
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1929 97 2,406
RIPPLE RIVER Minnesota Fair 1929 97 8,300
SPUNK CREEK Minnesota Fair 1929 97 1,550
CLEARWATER RIVER Minnesota Fair 1929 97 96
WATONWAN RIVER Minnesota Fair 1929 97 35
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1929 97 4,927
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1929 97 6,199
ELK CREEK Minnesota Fair 1929 97 2,942
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1929 97 2,701
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1929 97 4,200

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.