Historic Bridges in Tennessee

2,857 bridges built before 1951 in Tennessee still in service today.

Bridges Built Before 1951

The United States has 2,857 bridges in Tennessee 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
SR 23 CSX & CNIC RR Tennessee Poor 1928 98 33,396
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1928 98 2,948
SNOW CREEK Tennessee Good 1928 98 1,919
INDIAN CREEK Tennessee Poor 1928 98 800
INDIAN CREEK Tennessee Poor 1928 98 800
BOOHER CREEK Tennessee Fair 1928 98 800
WOODS CREEK Tennessee Fair 1928 98 1,036
THOMAS CREEK Tennessee Fair 1928 98 2,142
ROCKY CREEK Tennessee Fair 1928 98 8,094
MARTIN CREEK Tennessee Fair 1928 98 3,743
WATTS BRANCH Tennessee Good 1928 98 339
ROCKY CREEK Tennessee Fair 1928 98 4,155
DRY CREEK Tennessee Fair 1928 98 4,155
INDIAN CREEK Tennessee Poor 1928 98 4,155
CANE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1928 98 3,875
CROOCKED CREEK Tennessee Fair 1928 98 15,080
WEST HARPETH RIVER Tennessee Fair 1928 98 20,189
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1928 98 14,336
DRY FORK CREEK Tennessee Fair 1928 98 136
SMITH FORK CREEK Tennessee Poor 1928 98 320
BARTON CREEK Tennessee Fair 1928 98 6,373
NO BUSINESS CREEK Tennessee Fair 1929 97 763
ROCK CREEK Tennessee Fair 1929 97 763
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1929 97 4,799
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1929 97 665
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1929 97 892
LAUREL CREEK Tennessee Poor 1929 97 7,310
LAUREL CREEK Tennessee Fair 1929 97 7,310
DOE RIVER Tennessee Poor 1929 97 22,653
BUFFALO CREEK Tennessee Fair 1929 97 6,334
SUGAR CREEK Tennessee Fair 1929 97 1,665
FOWLER GROVE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1929 97 455
SINKING CREEK Tennessee Fair 1929 97 21,011
SINKING CREEK Tennessee Fair 1929 97 19,151
RENFROE CREEK Tennessee Poor 1929 97 2,039
OBED RIVER Tennessee Poor 1929 97 7,324
SHAW BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1929 97 610
L&N RAILROAD Tennessee Fair 1929 97 27,908
BROWN CREEK Tennessee Fair 1929 97 19,487
SOUTH HARPETH RIVER Tennessee Poor 1929 97 12,484
TRACE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1929 97 19,517
HARPETH RIVER Tennessee Poor 1929 97 19,517
JONES CREEK Tennessee Fair 1929 97 7,264
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1929 97 7,264
SULPHUR FORK CREEK Tennessee Fair 1929 97 7,264
TOWN BRANCH & NFA A178 Tennessee Fair 1929 97 7,264
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1929 97 3,475
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1929 97 3,475
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1929 97 4,571
OVERFLOW Tennessee Fair 1929 97 4,571

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.