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
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Fair 1950 76 1,800
LIVINGSTON CANAL California Fair 1950 76 14,695
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Fair 1950 76 561
SAN LUIS WASTEWAY California Fair 1950 76 6,331
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Fair 1950 76 830
LATERAL #6 California Fair 1950 76 40
LIVINGSTON CANAL California Fair 1950 76 620
FAIRFIELD CANAL California Fair 1950 76 2,569
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Fair 1950 76 10
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Poor 1950 76 101
OUTSIDE CANAL California Fair 1950 76 103
MAIN CANAL California Fair 1950 76 45
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Fair 1950 76 223
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Fair 1950 76 100
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Fair 1950 76 315
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Fair 1950 76 180
SAN JUAN CANAL California Poor 1950 76 327
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Fair 1950 76 181
SAND SLOUGH California Poor 1950 76 267
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Fair 1950 76 660
BULL CREEK California Fair 1950 76 100
NORTH FORK MERCED RIVER California Fair 1950 76 190
MARIPOSA CREEK California Poor 1950 76 1,080
LITTLE FINE GOLD CREEK California Good 1950 76 1,200
BERENDA CREEK California Fair 1950 76 159
NORTH FORK WILLOW CREEK California Poor 1950 76 60
LEWIS CREEK California Fair 1950 76 1,600
COTTONWOOD CREEK California Fair 1950 76 50
DRY CREEK California Fair 1950 76 105
WILLOW CREEK California Fair 1950 76 65
RYAN CREEK California Poor 1950 76 70
WILLOW CREEK California Fair 1950 76 30
SQUAW CREEK California Fair 1950 76 2,675
KINGSBURG CANAL California Fair 1950 76 8,250
STINSON CANAL California Fair 1950 76 5,400
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Fair 1950 76 3,100
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Fair 1950 76 1,700
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Fair 1950 76 200
FANCHER CREEK CANAL California Fair 1950 76 4,700
TRAVERS CREEK California Fair 1950 76 1,300
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Fair 1950 76 600
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Fair 1950 76 240
GOULD CANAL California Fair 1950 76 700
GOULD CANAL California Fair 1950 76 1,200
(WAHTOKE) DIVERSION CHAN California Fair 1950 76 870
GOULD CANAL California Fair 1950 76 300
MURPHY SLOUGH California Fair 1950 76 400
CRESCENT DITCH California Poor 1950 76 75
BURREL DITCH California Fair 1950 76 1,200
LIBERTY DITCH California Fair 1950 76 125

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.