Historic Bridges in Minnesota

1,035 bridges built before 1951 in Minnesota still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 1,035 bridges in Minnesota 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
RCRRA Minnesota Fair 1884 142 21,524
E CHAN MISSISSIPPI RIVER Minnesota Fair 1887 139 2,533
MINNEHAHA CREEK Minnesota Poor 1890 136 4,334
BEAVER CREEK Minnesota Poor 1890 136 1
BNSF RR Minnesota Fair 1893 133 1,738
South Fork Zumbro River Minnesota Poor 1895 131 75
S BR ROOT RIVER Minnesota Poor 1899 127 170
N FK CROW RIVER Minnesota Poor 1899 127 24
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1900 126 6,908
STREAM Minnesota Poor 1900 126 30
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1900 126 620
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1900 126 330
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1900 126 270
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1900 126 810
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1900 126 300
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1900 126 300
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1900 126 70
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1900 126 125
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1900 126 97
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1900 126 42
DITCH Minnesota Fair 1900 126 40
Como-Harriet Streetcar Minnesota Fair 1900 126 3,550
MINNEHAHA CREEK Minnesota Fair 1902 124 7,100
MINNEHAHA CREEK Minnesota Fair 1902 124 3,000
AYD MILL RD; CP RAIL Minnesota Fair 1903 123 7,900
MINNESOTA RIVER Minnesota Poor 1903 123 500
RECREATIONAL TRAIL Minnesota Fair 1904 122 7,778
RICEFORD CREEK Minnesota Fair 1905 121 4
OKABENA CREEK Minnesota Poor 1905 121 10
SHIP CANAL Minnesota Fair 1905 121 6,143
PEDESTRIAN UNDERTAKE Minnesota Fair 1905 121 10
COMO-HARRIET STREETCAR Minnesota Fair 1905 121 774
N BR TWO RIVERS Minnesota Poor 1907 119 12
OTTER TAIL RIVER Minnesota Poor 1908 118 1,350
MINNEHAHA CREEK Minnesota Fair 1908 118 200
DITCH Minnesota Poor 1908 118 33
NOKASIPPI RIVER Minnesota Poor 1908 118 20
STREAM Minnesota Poor 1908 118 40
CANNON RIVER Minnesota Poor 1909 117 1
CANNON RIVER Minnesota Fair 1909 117 150
ST LOUIS RIVER Minnesota Fair 1910 116 3,474
CP RAIL Minnesota Poor 1910 116 30
STREAM Minnesota Poor 1910 116 25
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1910 116 400
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1910 116 86
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1910 116 297
DUSCHEE CREEK Minnesota Poor 1910 116 37
STREAM Minnesota Fair 1911 115 10
CHANNEL; PED PATH Minnesota Fair 1911 115 33,500
SPRING BROOK Minnesota Fair 1911 115 56

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.