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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHATATA CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1935 | 91 | 329 |
| MILL CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1935 | 91 | 1,896 |
| DOAKES CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 1,030 |
| LITTLE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 384 |
| TERRY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 30 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 3,593 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 3,593 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 3,593 |
| TUNNEL HOLLOW BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 3,670 |
| TURKEY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 2,908 |
| MOONEYHAM BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 235 |
| MOONEYHAM BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 235 |
| BRADLEY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 2,285 |
| GARRISON FORK CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 4,384 |
| MCBRIDE BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 2,732 |
| NOAH FORK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 2,732 |
| LITTLE MARROWBONE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 740 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1935 | 91 | 1,780 |
| BRANCH (MBSP) | Tennessee | Good | 1935 | 91 | 1,091 |
| BIG CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 50 |
| BEAR CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 312 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 1,347 |
| BUFFALO CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 190 |
| LICK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 130 |
| UNION TEMPLE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 180 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 467 |
| PAINT CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 2,000 |
| COVE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 3,379 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 60 |
| ARMSTRONG CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1935 | 91 | 450 |
| JOHNSON BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 2,633 |
| LITTLE SODDY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 1,570 |
| BLACK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 4,282 |
| CSX RAILROAD | Tennessee | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 9,998 |
| RAVINE -LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 9,998 |
| SOUTHERN RAILWAY | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 1,737 |
| HOLLAND CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 2,930 |
| HOLLOWFIELD CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1935 | 91 | 2,930 |
| PORTER CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1935 | 91 | 70 |
| BEVINS BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 2,930 |
| BUCK BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 2,930 |
| HOWARD BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 2,930 |
| ROBERTSON BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1935 | 91 | 2,930 |
| ROBINSON BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1935 | 91 | 2,930 |
| BIG CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 300 |
| MIDDLE FORK OBION RIVER | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 430 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1935 | 91 | 3,729 |
| TRACE CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 4,347 |
| FLYNN CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 516 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1935 | 91 | 1,143 |
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.