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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEAM CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 110 |
| OTTER CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 11,781 |
| RICHLAND CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 11,781 |
| SUGAR TREE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 20,234 |
| GARNER CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,091 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 150 |
| EAST PINEY RIVER | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 40 |
| CROOKED CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 4,289 |
| LONG CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 4,289 |
| TACKET BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 207 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 3,496 |
| PLEASANT RUN CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 2,522 |
| PLEASANT RUN CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1938 | 88 | 3,828 |
| BURTON CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1938 | 88 | 3,319 |
| LONG CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 160 |
| ELDRIDGE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 100 |
| SODDY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,150 |
| POSSUM CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1938 | 88 | 1,150 |
| HARRISON CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1938 | 88 | 23,434 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 13,344 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 9,487 |
| WOLF CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 9,487 |
| SAVANNAH CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 5,507 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 5,507 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 5,507 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 5,507 |
| BLACKWATER CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1938 | 88 | 684 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1938 | 88 | 1,893 |
| OVERFLOW | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,893 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,893 |
| CYPRESS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,893 |
| CYPRESS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,893 |
| LONG CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 523 |
| DUMPLIN CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 250 |
| FORGE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 100 |
| STOCK CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1938 | 88 | 1,138 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 3,022 |
| CANE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 3,134 |
| PINHOOK BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 3,134 |
| GINGERBREAD CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 3,134 |
| CLARK BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1938 | 88 | 3,134 |
| MEADOW FORK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 165 |
| CHESTUEE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 340 |
| MEADOW FORK BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1938 | 88 | 120 |
| RUNNING WATER CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,166 |
| SPRING CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 200 |
| TURKEY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 70 |
| TURKEY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 70 |
| LONG TOM BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 540 |
| LITTLE BIGBY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 11,402 |
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.