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
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.