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.
| Bridge | State | Condition | Year Built | Age (Years) | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEAVER CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 25,986 |
| TENNESSEE RIVER & 2 RTS | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 24,149 |
| REELFOOT LAKE SPILLWAY | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 2,448 |
| CROWSON CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 90 |
| SHOAL CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 10 |
| CATHYS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 216 |
| CHICKEN CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 70 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 780 |
| JENNY RIVER | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 3,347 |
| BACON CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1930 | 96 | 220 |
| BYRD BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 16,556 |
| CONASAUGA CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1930 | 96 | 30 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 6,010 |
| FORREST HILL BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 6,052 |
| SANDY BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 6,986 |
| SANDY BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 3,806 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Poor | 1930 | 96 | 9,794 |
| SMALL BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 700 |
| HOGE BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 2,304 |
| GRAHAM COVE BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 1,419 |
| PLEASANT VALLEY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 280 |
| SANDERS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 50 |
| SNAKE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 650 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 1,583 |
| TROY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 962 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 962 |
| PEE DEE CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 962 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 516 |
| TROY FORK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 510 |
| RICHLAND CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 428 |
| GREENLICK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 190 |
| SOUTH FORK FOUNTAIN CREE | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 250 |
| FOUNTAIN CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 150 |
| SUGAR CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1930 | 96 | 860 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 2,984 |
| SMALL BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 4,120 |
| AGENCY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 4,515 |
| MOORE BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 1,430 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 1,430 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 2,496 |
| NEBO BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 2,496 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 2,496 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 1,708 |
| TEN MILE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 1,708 |
| TELLICO RIVER | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 2,976 |
| MADISONVILLE BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 4,350 |
| BIG EAST FORK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 695 |
| LITTLE BARTONS CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 3,724 |
| LOUISE CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 6,192 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 201 |
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.