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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIDDLE FORK LITTLE EMORY | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 150 |
| MIDDLE FORK LITTLE EMORY | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 150 |
| OVERFLOW | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 3,625 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 2,228 |
| BRUSH CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 995 |
| MINNEWAUGA CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 40 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 90 |
| PINEY RIVER | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 3,926 |
| FORK OF PINEY RIVER | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 3,926 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 2,752 |
| FALL CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1930 | 96 | 120 |
| CRIPPLE CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1930 | 96 | 50 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 670 |
| LONG CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 340 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 5,946 |
| BUFFALO CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 70 |
| PAINT ROCK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 50 |
| LICK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 150 |
| LICK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 150 |
| LICK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 780 |
| LICK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 280 |
| LICK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 610 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 1,030 |
| LICK CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 6,314 |
| LICK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 200 |
| LICK CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 150 |
| LICK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 180 |
| HARRISON CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 390 |
| CYPRESS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 27,207 |
| PAVED DITCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 15,953 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 26,379 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 14,335 |
| LITTLE NONCONNAH CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 17,463 |
| PEYTON CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1930 | 96 | 50 |
| FALL CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 808 |
| BEAVER CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 20,245 |
| SINKING CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 9,621 |
| CSX RAILROAD | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 33,740 |
| CSX RAILROAD | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 17,625 |
| SOUTH HOLSTON RIVER | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 17,625 |
| MUDDY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 9,325 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1930 | 96 | 705 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 170 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 1,825 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 1,825 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 1,825 |
| LITTLE TRAMMEL CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1930 | 96 | 1,825 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 1,825 |
| LITTLE TRAMMEL CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1930 | 96 | 775 |
| LITTLE TRAMMEL CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1930 | 96 | 775 |
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.