Historic Bridges in Illinois
3,065 bridges built before 1951 in Illinois still in service today.
Bridges Built Before 1951
The United States has 3,065 bridges in Illinois 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meridosia Ditch | Illinois | Poor | 1901 | 125 | — |
| BR KISHWAUKEE RIVER | Illinois | Fair | 1901 | 125 | 75 |
| CN RR | Illinois | Fair | 1901 | 125 | 1,150 |
| FIGLEY CRK | Illinois | Good | 1902 | 124 | 50 |
| LONG BRANCH | Illinois | Poor | 1902 | 124 | 50 |
| N BR CHICAGO RIV | Illinois | Poor | 1902 | 124 | 18,600 |
| JACKSON PK LAGOON | Illinois | Fair | 1902 | 124 | 14,200 |
| STREAM | Illinois | Fair | 1902 | 124 | 25 |
| N BR CHICAGO RIV CAN | Illinois | Fair | 1903 | 123 | 13,400 |
| S.BR.CHICAGO RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1903 | 123 | 6,100 |
| HENNEPIN CANAL | Illinois | Fair | 1904 | 122 | 50 |
| N BR CHI RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1904 | 122 | 6,700 |
| S BR CHICAGO RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1904 | 122 | 3,675 |
| JACKSON PK LAGOON | Illinois | Good | 1904 | 122 | 36,700 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Illinois | Poor | 1904 | 122 | 150 |
| PRAIRIE CR | Illinois | Poor | 1904 | 122 | 25 |
| CEDAR CRK. | Illinois | Fair | 1905 | 121 | 75 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1905 | 121 | 125 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1905 | 121 | 75 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1905 | 121 | 50 |
| Beebe Creek | Illinois | Fair | 1905 | 121 | 25 |
| BR MCKEE CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1905 | 121 | 25 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1905 | 121 | 50 |
| CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1905 | 121 | 25 |
| MILL CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1905 | 121 | 900 |
| DRY BRANCH CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1905 | 121 | 150 |
| LOGAN CREEK | Illinois | Good | 1905 | 121 | 225 |
| PURPUS CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1905 | 121 | 475 |
| MINNIE CR | Illinois | Fair | 1905 | 121 | 150 |
| STONY CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1905 | 121 | 5,250 |
| KENT CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1905 | 121 | 8,650 |
| SYLVAN SLOUGH | Illinois | Fair | 1906 | 120 | 8,900 |
| S BR CHICAGO RIV | Illinois | Fair | 1906 | 120 | 9,100 |
| BRONSON CREEK | Illinois | Fair | 1906 | 120 | 25 |
| THE BLUFF CANAL | Illinois | Fair | 1906 | 120 | 75 |
| WABASH RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1906 | 120 | 500 |
| WABASH RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1906 | 120 | 500 |
| PED. & BIKE PATH | Illinois | Fair | 1906 | 120 | 2,750 |
| BURLINGTON NORTH R R | Illinois | Poor | 1907 | 119 | 775 |
| EMBARRAS RIVER | Illinois | Poor | 1907 | 119 | 100 |
| PELLA DRAINAGE DITCH | Illinois | Fair | 1907 | 119 | 25 |
| TRIB TO SUGAR CR | Illinois | Poor | 1907 | 119 | 50 |
| BRANCH OF MCKEE CRK | Illinois | Fair | 1908 | 118 | 50 |
| N SHORE CHANNEL | Illinois | Fair | 1908 | 118 | 1,300 |
| North Shore Channel | Illinois | Poor | 1908 | 118 | 4,400 |
| CHI MET SAN CANAL | Illinois | Good | 1908 | 118 | 4,550 |
| N SHORE CHANNEL | Illinois | Fair | 1908 | 118 | 11,400 |
| TRIB OF LA MOINE R | Illinois | Fair | 1908 | 118 | 75 |
| SHORT CREEK | Illinois | Poor | 1908 | 118 | 50 |
| GUM CR | Illinois | Fair | 1908 | 118 | 50 |
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.