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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LITTLE HURRICANE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 7,683 |
| FALL CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1937 | 89 | 2,878 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1937 | 89 | 2,878 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1937 | 89 | 2,878 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 2,878 |
| BELL BUCKLE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 2,878 |
| COHULLA CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 11,789 |
| BYRDS CREEK (CMSP) | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 90 |
| MANSKER CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1937 | 89 | 22,090 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 24,106 |
| ABANDONED CSX RAILROAD | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 6,559 |
| BOILING FORK CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1937 | 89 | 6,559 |
| WEST FORK SHOAL CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 207 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 5,076 |
| COVE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 2,000 |
| CANEY CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1937 | 89 | 260 |
| NORTH FORK OBION RIVER | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 4,797 |
| ROWE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 4,797 |
| MORMON BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 4,966 |
| SOUTHERN RAILWAY | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 13,336 |
| BLONDY HOLLOW BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,226 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 2,007 |
| WEST FORK STONES RIVER | Tennessee | Poor | 1937 | 89 | 240 |
| LYTLE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 10,971 |
| HURRICANE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 4,585 |
| SOUTHERN RAILWAY | Tennessee | Poor | 1937 | 89 | 769 |
| LITTLE BRUSH CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 5,167 |
| SULPHUR CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1937 | 89 | 4,281 |
| LEFT PRONG SMITH BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 436 |
| TODD BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1937 | 89 | 1,198 |
| WEST PRONG LITTLE PIGEON | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 10,764 |
| WEST PRONG LPR | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 2,365 |
| NEWFOUND GAP ROAD | Tennessee | Good | 1937 | 89 | 2,365 |
| COLE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 2,364 |
| WALKER CAMP PRONG | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 3,390 |
| WALKER CAMP PRONG | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 3,390 |
| WALKER CAMP PRONG | Tennessee | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 3,390 |
| RT FORK COAL CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 3,593 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1938 | 88 | 7,683 |
| BEAVER DAM CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1938 | 88 | 1,682 |
| COWEN CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,682 |
| BEE CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1938 | 88 | 1,682 |
| FOUR MILE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,320 |
| NINE MILE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,320 |
| LITTLE ELK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 180 |
| LITTLE ELK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 180 |
| SINKING CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,951 |
| SLATE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 130 |
| KNEELAS CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1938 | 88 | 40 |
| TANTROUGH CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 110 |
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.