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
T.I.D. UPPER LATERAL #4 California Poor 1919 107 1,461
CCID MAIN CANAL California Poor 1919 107 684
M.I.D. MAIN CANAL California Fair 1919 107 1,100
WEBBER CANAL California Fair 1919 107 28,000
AGUA FRIA CREEK California Fair 1919 107 180
DRY CREEK CANAL California Fair 1919 107 10,400
LOS ANGELES AQUEDUCT California Good 1919 107 204
ROCK CREEK California Good 1919 107 520
PINE CREEK California Fair 1919 107 520
RATTLESNAKE CANYON California Fair 1919 107 220
BOX WASH California Good 1919 107 12,300
MOFFETT CREEK California Fair 1920 106 94
LITTLE SHASTA RIVER California Fair 1920 106 353
W BR CLOVERSWALE CREEK California Fair 1920 106 2,200
MATTOLE RIVER California Fair 1920 106 514
NORTH FORK COTTONWOOD CR California Fair 1920 106 10
MID FORK COTTONWOOD CRK California Fair 1920 106 96
DRY CREEK California Good 1920 106 1,225
SLATE CREEK California Good 1920 106 82
SUNSET CANAL California Good 1920 106 9,300
BRANNIN CREEK California Fair 1920 106 779
SPANISH CREEK California Fair 1920 106 130
WATSON CREEK California Poor 1920 106 120
S FK WILLOW CREEK California Poor 1920 106 56
HAMLIN SLOUGH California Poor 1920 106 300
NANCE CANYON California Poor 1920 106 300
DURHAM MUTUAL DITCH California Poor 1920 106 1,552
LITTLE CHICO CREEK California Fair 1920 106 1,161
WYANDOTTE CREEK California Poor 1920 106 60
IRRIGATION LATERAL California Fair 1920 106 20
OREGON GULCH California Fair 1920 106 128
SUTTER-BUTTE CANAL California Fair 1920 106 5,298
N FK HONCUT CREEK California Fair 1920 106 1,279
LITTLE CHICO CREEK California Fair 1920 106 4,000
E BR DURHAM MUTUAL DITCH California Good 1920 106 50
NANCE CANYON California Poor 1920 106 400
E BRANCH WYANDOTTE CREEK California Fair 1920 106 100
DRAINAGE DITCH California Fair 1920 106 100
CONCOW CREEK California Fair 1920 106 5
SOUTH BRANCH BRUSH CREEK California Fair 1920 106 2,018
BEAR CREEK California Fair 1920 106 15
PRAIRIE CREEK California Fair 1920 106 400
SOUTH FORK REEDS CREEK California Fair 1920 106 570
DRY CREEK California Fair 1920 106 50
LITTLE DRY CREEK California Fair 1920 106 190
ROCK CREEK California Poor 1920 106 80
SUTTER CO EXTENSIONCANAL California Fair 1920 106 12,000
CHEROKEE DRAIN California Poor 1920 106 97
LICHAU CREEK California Good 1920 106 10,600
GUALALA RIV (CLARK XING) California Fair 1920 106 800

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.