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
MOULTON SLOUGH California Fair 1918 108 6,630
N BRA LAG DE SANTA ROSA California Fair 1918 108 5,000
NATHANSON CREEK California Fair 1918 108 750
TULUCAY CREEK California Fair 1918 108 22,850
GARNETT CREEK California Fair 1918 108 1,000
WELL CREEK California Fair 1918 108 16,700
GRIFFITH CREEK California Good 1918 108 4,300
WINDMILL DRAW California Good 1918 108 4,300
ROLLING DRAW California Good 1918 108 4,300
SKUNK CREEK California Fair 1918 108 4,300
CARSON CREEK California Fair 1918 108 100
DEER CREEK California Fair 1918 108 3,062
SAN FRANCISCO BAY California Poor 1918 108 2,000
STEVENS CREEK California Fair 1918 108 16,409
MATADERO CREEK California Fair 1918 108 250
MATADERO CREEK California Fair 1918 108 205
MATADERO CREEK California Fair 1918 108 190
MATADERO CREEK California Fair 1918 108 205
SNAKE RAVINE California Fair 1918 108 1,550
QUARTZ LEDGE CREEK California Good 1918 108 1,550
DRY CREEK California Fair 1918 108 7,573
ROCK CREEK California Fair 1918 108 716
ROCK CREEK TRIBUTARY California Good 1918 108 959
ROCK CREEK TRIBUTARY California Poor 1918 108 716
INGRAM CREEK California Fair 1918 108 459
LONE TREE CREEK California Good 1918 108 350
ARROYO CANAL California Fair 1918 108 5,200
AX CANAL California Fair 1918 108 2,050
SWEET CANAL California Fair 1918 108 2,060
SOUTH FORK PEOPLES DITCH California Fair 1918 108 670
LAST CHANCE DITCH California Fair 1918 108 4,650
SAN LUIS OBISPO CREEK California Good 1918 108 7,907
SANTIAGO CREEK CHANNEL California Good 1918 108 37,000
PIT RIVER California Fair 1919 107 202
RICE CREEK California Good 1919 107 982
SOUR GRASS CREEK California Fair 1919 107 982
MOORE CREEK California Poor 1919 107 982
SACRAMENTO RIVER OVFL California Fair 1919 107 2,400
WHITE CABIN CREEK California Fair 1919 107 351
ROCK CREEK California Fair 1919 107 843
OAT CREEK California Fair 1919 107 1,460
BIRD CREEK California Good 1919 107 1,196
ECKLEY SLIDE California Fair 1919 107 470
LAS TRAMPAS CREEK California Good 1919 107 17,700
REDWOOD CREEK California Fair 1919 107 2,350
HICKS CREEK California Good 1919 107 280
ALAMITOS CREEK California Fair 1919 107 230
LLAGAS CREEK California Fair 1919 107 240
M.I.D. CANAL LATERAL 4 California Fair 1919 107 11,900
T.I.D. MAIN CANAL California Poor 1919 107 4,088

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.