Historic Bridges in Michigan

1,528 bridges built before 1951 in Michigan still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 1,528 bridges in Michigan 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
FLAT RIVER Michigan Fair 1867 159 144
FLAT RIVER Michigan Fair 1871 155 122
HURON RIVER Michigan Fair 1876 150 1,963
ST JOSEPH RIVER Michigan Fair 1885 141 1,144
KALAMAZOO RIVER Michigan Fair 1886 140 2,582
GRAND RIVER Michigan Fair 1886 140 4,550
S FORK OF HAYWORTH Michigan Poor 1890 136 119
GRAND RIVER Michigan Fair 1890 136 1,100
FISH CREEK Michigan Fair 1895 131 30
NORTH MACON DRAIN Michigan Fair 1897 129 21
SOUTH BRANCH BAD RIVER Michigan Poor 1898 128 143
BIG MEADOW DRAIN Michigan Fair 1899 127 9,000
RICE CREEK Michigan Fair 1899 127 1,853
HIGH BANK CREEK Michigan Poor 1900 126 197
HIGHBANK CREEK Michigan Fair 1900 126 133
BETSIE RIVER Michigan Poor 1900 126 95
BETSIE RIVER Michigan Poor 1900 126 32
TEKONSHA CREEK&POWERS Michigan Poor 1900 126 30
COLDWATER RIVER Michigan Poor 1900 126 111
STURGEON RIVER Michigan Poor 1900 126 3
STURGEON RIVER Michigan Poor 1900 126 25
AU SABLE RIVER Michigan Fair 1900 126 560
RIVER STYX DRAIN Michigan Fair 1900 126 111
BOVEE DRAIN Michigan Poor 1900 126 56
TRAPROCK RIVER Michigan Poor 1900 126 80
WEST CEDAR DRAIN Michigan Poor 1900 126 250
CHICAGON CREEK Michigan Poor 1900 126 142
BETSIE RIVER Michigan Poor 1900 126 100
BASS LAKE OUTLET Michigan Fair 1900 126 1,000
SWAN CREEK Michigan Fair 1900 126 2,200
S BR PERE MARQUETTE RIVR Michigan Poor 1900 126 100
CARR CREEK Michigan Fair 1900 126 300
BIG SABLE RIVER Michigan Poor 1900 126 200
N BR CHIPPEWA RIVER Michigan Fair 1900 126 67
TITTABAWASSEE RIVER Michigan Fair 1900 126 4,550
OTTAWA LAKE DRAIN Michigan Poor 1900 126 480
NORRIS CREEK Michigan Fair 1900 126 2,310
SADONY BAYOU Michigan Poor 1900 126 440
RUDDIMAN CREEK Michigan Good 1900 126 12,520
C O RAILROAD Michigan Poor 1900 126 1,972
SYLVAN LAKE Michigan Fair 1900 126 180
MONTELLO PARK DRAIN Michigan Poor 1900 126 1,920
ROWLEY CREEK Michigan Fair 1900 126 733
HURON RIVER Michigan Fair 1900 126 750
CLAM RIVER Michigan Poor 1900 126 560
CANOE STREAM Michigan Fair 1901 125 935
CANOE STREAM Michigan Good 1901 125 296
BALDWIN RIVER Michigan Fair 1901 125
PAW PAW RIVER Michigan Fair 1901 125
BAD RIVER DRAIN Michigan Fair 1903 123 113

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.