Historic Bridges in Delaware

122 bridges built before 1951 in Delaware still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 122 bridges in Delaware 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
BRANDYWINE CREEK Delaware Fair 1839 187 3,224
MILL CREEK Delaware Good 1846 180 7,382
RED CLAY CREEK Delaware Fair 1850 176 3,398
ST. JONES RIVER Delaware Fair 1885 141 11,547
BRANDYWINE CREEK Delaware Fair 1900 126 2,103
BRANDYWINE CREEK Delaware Fair 1900 126 9,627
CSX RAILROAD Delaware Good 1900 126 23,743
CSX RAILROAD Delaware Fair 1900 126 99
PEDESTRIAN PATH Delaware Fair 1900 126 9,804
MISPILLION RIVER Delaware Fair 1900 126 99
BRANDYWINE CREEK&FLUME Delaware Fair 1906 120 99
SHELLPOT CREEK Delaware Fair 1910 116 9,580
RECORDS POND Delaware Good 1910 116 99
WARTONS BRANCH Delaware Fair 1911 115 23,985
BETTS POND Delaware Fair 1912 114 24,039
MILL CREEK Delaware Fair 1913 113 11,553
BROAD CREEK Delaware Fair 1915 111 3,164
WATERWAY Delaware Fair 1917 109 626
LITTLE MILL CREEK Delaware Fair 1917 109 1,317
READING RR Delaware Fair 1918 108 537
WATERWAY & ABANDON R.R. Delaware Fair 1919 107 16,691
TIDBURY BRANCH Delaware Fair 1919 107 9,355
ISAAC BRANCH-MOORES LAKE Delaware Fair 1919 107 11,225
CLEAR BROOK Delaware Fair 1919 107 3,966
NANTICOKE RIVER Delaware Fair 1919 107 4,583
BLACKBIRD CREEK Delaware Poor 1920 106 11,020
MURDERKILL RIVER Delaware Good 1920 106 12,269
MUDSTONE BRANCH Delaware Fair 1920 106 6,536
NANTICOKE RIVER Delaware Fair 1920 106 11,140
JAMES BRANCH Delaware Fair 1920 106 6,064
TYNDALL BRANCH Delaware Fair 1920 106 6,883
RED CLAY CREEK Delaware Fair 1922 104 2,428
HYDE RUN Delaware Fair 1922 104 3,319
CHRISTINA CREEK Delaware Fair 1922 104 12,169
BRANDYWINE CK CONRAIL Delaware Fair 1922 104 10,601
ARMY CREEK Delaware Fair 1922 104 40,517
BROWNS BRANCH Delaware Good 1922 104 7,277
COLLINS MILL POND Delaware Good 1922 104 10,964
DEEP CREEK Delaware Good 1922 104 13,664
BROAD CREEK Delaware Fair 1923 103 5,984
WILSON RUN Delaware Fair 1925 101 64,449
WATERWAY Delaware Fair 1925 101 12,820
BRANDYWINE RIVER Delaware Fair 1925 101 99
LITTLE MILL CREEK Delaware Good 1926 100 5,558
PIKE CREEK Delaware Good 1926 100 15,802
MUDDY RUN Delaware Good 1926 100 11,825
NANTICOKE RIVER Delaware Fair 1926 100 8,015
RED LION CREEK Delaware Fair 1927 99 5,593
PAW PAW BRANCH Delaware Fair 1927 99 943
CHRISTINA RIVER Delaware Fair 1927 99 28,795

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.