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
LITTLE EMORY RIVER Tennessee Fair 1935 91 4,329
RED RIVER Tennessee Fair 1935 91 20
UNNAMED BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1935 91 50
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1935 91 4,585
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1935 91 2,474
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1935 91 2,474
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1935 91 2,474
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1935 91 2,474
PHILLIPS CREEK Tennessee Fair 1935 91 2,560
DUMPLIN CREEK Tennessee Fair 1935 91 180
GISTS CREEK Tennessee Fair 1935 91 4,652
CANE CREEK Tennessee Poor 1935 91 5,309
OVERFLOW Tennessee Fair 1935 91 16,141
HARRISON CREEK Tennessee Fair 1935 91 27,391
BRUSH CREEK Tennessee Poor 1935 91 337
WALKER FORK CREEK Tennessee Fair 1935 91 2,243
WALKER FORK CREEK Tennessee Fair 1935 91 2,243
BEAVER CREEK Tennessee Good 1935 91 1,430
TOWN CREEK Tennessee Good 1935 91 13,339
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1935 91 284
HICKORY CREEK Tennessee Fair 1935 91 576
BYBEE BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1935 91 370
BACON BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1935 91 463
BACON BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1935 91 463
CLARKS CREEK Tennessee Good 1935 91 3,352
BUTLER CREEK Tennessee Poor 1935 91 110
SPRING CREEK Tennessee Fair 1935 91 907
BRANCH Tennessee Poor 1935 91 1,212
ROUND LICK CREEK Tennessee Fair 1935 91 230
BRUSH CREEK Tennessee Good 1935 91 20
BRUSH CREEK Tennessee Good 1935 91 20
PAINT CREEK Tennessee Fair 1935 91 50
PAINT CREEK Tennessee Fair 1935 91 20
PAINT CREEK Tennessee Fair 1935 91 20
PAINT CREEK Tennessee Good 1935 91 50
PAINT CREEK Tennessee Fair 1935 91 50
BALD RIVER Tennessee Fair 1935 91 100
SUGAR COVE BR. Tennessee Fair 1935 91 50
WOODS RESERVOIR Tennessee Good 1935 91 1
CSX RAILROAD Tennessee Fair 1936 90 890
SEQUATCHIE RIVER Tennessee Fair 1936 90 200
BIG CREEK Tennessee Fair 1936 90 3,104
STONY CREEK Tennessee Fair 1936 90 3,909
BULL RUN CREEK Tennessee Good 1936 90 14,975
BRANCH OF SPRING CREEK Tennessee Good 1936 90 5,459
WEST FORK CLOVER CREEK Tennessee Fair 1936 90 1,893
PIGEON RIVER Tennessee Poor 1936 90 8,209
WILEY CREEK Tennessee Poor 1936 90 920
ROCK CREEK Tennessee Fair 1936 90 8,738
BYRDS CR & LAKE (CMSP) Tennessee Fair 1936 90 1,794

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.