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
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1939 87 229
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1939 87 1,826
CANE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1939 87 1,826
OVERFLOW Tennessee Fair 1939 87 1,826
DRAINAGE DITCH Tennessee Fair 1939 87 1,826
FRY BRANCH Tennessee Good 1939 87 260
FRY BRANCH Tennessee Good 1939 87 260
FRY BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1939 87 260
BEATY BRANCH Tennessee Good 1939 87 4,150
TACKET BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1939 87 207
SHANNON BRANCH Tennessee Good 1939 87 70
CLOCK CREEK Tennessee Good 1939 87 3,319
BURGESS CREEK Tennessee Good 1939 87 4,677
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1939 87 1,016
MILL CREEK Tennessee Fair 1939 87 1,051
BRANCH FALL CREEK Tennessee Good 1939 87 1,175
LITTLE SODDY CREEK Tennessee Good 1939 87 836
BOAT BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1939 87 2,848
WOODWARD BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1939 87 1,109
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1939 87 555
GENTRY CREEK Tennessee Fair 1939 87 739
FURNACE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1939 87 1,120
TOWN CREEK Tennessee Fair 1939 87 4,305
ROSEBERRY CREEK Tennessee Good 1939 87 2,181
TURKEY CREEK Tennessee Good 1939 87 26,329
NORTH FORK TURKEY CREEK Tennessee Fair 1939 87 26,329
TURKEY CREEK Tennessee Fair 1939 87 26,329
LAMMIE BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1939 87 12,226
KERNS BRANCH Tennessee Good 1939 87 12,226
BOLES BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1939 87 1,606
OVERFLOW Tennessee Fair 1939 87 1,606
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1939 87 1,606
HENDRIX CREEK Tennessee Fair 1939 87 700
HARGISS COVE BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1939 87 110
OWEN SPRING BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1939 87 2,597
FRY BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1939 87 1,930
MOORESVILLE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1939 87 1,930
GLOBE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1939 87 1,930
DOG BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1939 87 90
CURRY BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1939 87 220
EAST FORK GREENLICK CREE Tennessee Fair 1939 87 440
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1939 87 230
JOHNSON MILL CREEK Tennessee Good 1939 87 1,433
ROYSTER CREEK Tennessee Fair 1939 87 1,050
HARRISON CREEK Tennessee Fair 1939 87 30,550
WOLF RIVER Tennessee Poor 1939 87 11,202
SCOTT BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1939 87 571
REEDY CREEK Tennessee Good 1939 87 13,839
STATER CREEK Tennessee Fair 1939 87 9,891
RIGHT FORK SLATERS CREEK Tennessee Poor 1939 87 9,891

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.