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.

Clear
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.