Historic Bridges in New Mexico
719 bridges built before 1951 in New Mexico still in service today.
Bridges Built Before 1951
The United States has 719 bridges in New Mexico 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COLD SPRING CANYON | New Mexico | Fair | 1908 | 118 | 191 |
| GALLINAS RIVER | New Mexico | Fair | 1909 | 117 | 6,684 |
| PAJARITO ARROYO | New Mexico | Fair | 1911 | 115 | 2,136 |
| ARROYO HERMANOS | New Mexico | Fair | 1911 | 115 | 1,548 |
| LA MANTECA ARROYO | New Mexico | Fair | 1912 | 114 | 205 |
| Rio Grande River | New Mexico | Poor | 1915 | 111 | 50 |
| ARROYO DE LAS MASCARAS | New Mexico | Fair | 1920 | 106 | 5,291 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1920 | 106 | 257 |
| Rio Nutria | New Mexico | Fair | 1920 | 106 | 337 |
| IRRIGATION CANAL | New Mexico | Poor | 1923 | 103 | 2,605 |
| SAN JOSE ARROYO | New Mexico | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 227 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,168 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Good | 1925 | 101 | 16,131 |
| WASH | New Mexico | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 20 |
| NASCHITTI WASH | New Mexico | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 681 |
| GREENHORN ARROYO | New Mexico | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 297 |
| ANIMAS RIVER | New Mexico | Poor | 1929 | 97 | 6,361 |
| TRUJILLO CANYON | New Mexico | Fair | 1929 | 97 | 1,093 |
| WORTHINGTON DITCH | New Mexico | Fair | 1929 | 97 | 4,400 |
| PERCHA CREEK | New Mexico | Fair | 1929 | 97 | 297 |
| TRES HERMANOS CREEK | New Mexico | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 238 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 4,134 |
| SPRING RIVER | New Mexico | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 206 |
| Abo Arroyo | New Mexico | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 224 |
| SPRING RIVER | New Mexico | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 206 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 1,831 |
| LEASBURG CANAL | New Mexico | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 337 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Good | 1930 | 96 | 35,797 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Good | 1930 | 96 | 35,797 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Good | 1930 | 96 | 1,524 |
| MORA RIVER | New Mexico | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 37 |
| SPRING RIVER | New Mexico | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 206 |
| SPRING RIVER | New Mexico | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 206 |
| SPRING RIVER | New Mexico | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 8,538 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Poor | 1931 | 95 | 100 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Poor | 1931 | 95 | 100 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 174 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 174 |
| RYAN HILL CANYON | New Mexico | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 174 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Poor | 1931 | 95 | 174 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 40 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 40 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 40 |
| SPIKEY ARROYO | New Mexico | Poor | 1931 | 95 | 40 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 40 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Good | 1931 | 95 | 6,011 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 1,179 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 4,337 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 1,165 |
| UNNAMED WATERWAY | New Mexico | Fair | 1931 | 95 | 1,165 |
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.