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 76 500
DELTA-MENDOTA CANAL California Fair 1950 76 125
ALTA EAST BRANCH CANAL California Fair 1950 76 200
ALTA EAST BRANCH CANAL California Fair 1950 76 2,500
LOS GATOS CREEK California Fair 1950 76 200
DRY CREEK CANAL California Fair 1950 76 400
2ND LIFT CANAL California Good 1950 76 400
CRESCENT DITCH California Fair 1950 76 125
TEQUISQUITA SLOUGH OVFL California Good 1950 76 6,500
GRISWOLD CREEK California Fair 1950 76 200
NACIMIENTO CREEK California Fair 1950 76 500
N FORK LITTLE SUR RIVER California Fair 1950 76 200
S FORK LITTLE SUR RIVER California Fair 1950 76 200
TULARCITOS CREEK California Good 1950 76 4,600
HITCHCOCK CANYON CREEK California Fair 1950 76 2,700
HITCHCOCK CANYON CREEK California Fair 1950 76 2,700
ROBINSON CANYON RIVER California Good 1950 76 3,600
CACHAGUA CREEK California Fair 1950 76 660
CARNEROS CREEK California Good 1950 76 2,800
CARNEROS CREEK California Fair 1950 76 2,200
CHOLAME CREEK California Poor 1950 76 210
CHOLAME CREEK California Fair 1950 76 200
SAN LORENZO CREEK California Fair 1950 76 2,300
LEWIS CREEK California Good 1950 76 50
N FK LEWIS CREEK California Fair 1950 76 50
N FORK LEWIS CREEK California Fair 1950 76 200
KINGS RIVER California Fair 1950 76 1,317
LEMOORE CANAL California Fair 1950 76 2,344
LAKESIDE DITCH California Fair 1950 76 3,375
TULARE LAKE CANAL California Poor 1950 76 200
TULARE LAKE CANAL California Fair 1950 76 20
PORTER SLOUGH California Good 1950 76 7,200
KETCHUM DI California Fair 1950 76 1,150
SAND CREEK California Fair 1950 76 125
LEWIS CREEK California Good 1950 76 200
LEWIS CREEK California Good 1950 76 600
FRIANT-KERN CANAL California Good 1950 76 500
FRIANT-KERN CANAL California Good 1950 76 25
FRIANT-KERN CANAL California Good 1950 76 150
SAND CREEK California Fair 1950 76 250
ALTA CANAL California Fair 1950 76 250
MILL CREEK DITCH California Fair 1950 76 100
WUTCHUMNA DITCH California Fair 1950 76 1,420
TULARE IRRIG DIST CANAL California Fair 1950 76 1,300
ALTA CANAL California Fair 1950 76 1,300
DEEP CREEK California Good 1950 76 1,961
TULARE IRRIG DIST CANAL California Fair 1950 76 8,600
GREEN CREEK California Good 1950 76 30
BRANCH OF LAS TABLAS CRK California Fair 1950 76 25
HUER HUERO CREEK California Poor 1950 76 1,198

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.