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.
| Bridge | State | Condition | Year Built | Age (Years) | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PALO VERDE LAGOON | California | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 300 |
| PALO VERDE LAGOON | California | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 800 |
| MOHAVE LATERAL CANAL | California | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 250 |
| RESERVATION MAIN DRAIN | California | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 10 |
| CENTRAL MAIN CANAL | California | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 570 |
| CENTRAL MAIN CANAL | California | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 120 |
| RESERVATION MAIN DRAIN | California | Good | 1950 | 76 | 50 |
| FOURMILE CREEK | California | Good | 1950 | 76 | 50 |
| FIVEMILE CREEK | California | Good | 1950 | 76 | 50 |
| S FORK FEATHER RIVER | California | Good | 1950 | 76 | 5 |
| GLEN CREEK | California | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 50 |
| NOSONI CREEK | California | Good | 1950 | 76 | 30 |
| SOUTH FORK KINGS RIVER | California | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 278 |
| MISSION CREEK | California | Fair | 1950 | 76 | 1 |
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.