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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MILL CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 10 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 860 |
| TAYLOR BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 962 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 962 |
| LIBERTY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 769 |
| HUNT CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 300 |
| CRUMPTON CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 240 |
| MUDDY BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 684 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 2,853 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 2,853 |
| BRADLEY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 2,285 |
| BRADLEY CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 2,285 |
| NORMAN CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,514 |
| NORMAN CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,514 |
| WISERS BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1940 | 86 | 127 |
| DUCK RIVER | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,424 |
| PERRY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,424 |
| LIBERTY CREEK OVERFLOW | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 769 |
| EATON BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,210 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 2,732 |
| CFW RAILROAD | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 12,952 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 5,073 |
| BRADLEY CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 5,073 |
| BETSY WILLIS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 2,030 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1940 | 86 | 9,271 |
| WILLIAMS CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 1,235 |
| PEARSONS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,235 |
| BEAR CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,661 |
| BASSES CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 2,122 |
| DUNCAN CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1940 | 86 | 344 |
| EARTHMAN FORK CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 1,115 |
| STONES CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 4,607 |
| LITTLE MARROW BONE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 740 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 740 |
| INDIAN CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1940 | 86 | 2,691 |
| MILL CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 2,691 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1940 | 86 | 2,337 |
| BROWNS CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1940 | 86 | 110 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1940 | 86 | 2,691 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1940 | 86 | 2,652 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 2,010 |
| MARROWBONE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 60 |
| CARNEY CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1940 | 86 | 70 |
| EATONS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 240 |
| SULPHUR CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1940 | 86 | 240 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 50 |
| RICHLAND CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 6,780 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 12,530 |
| LITTLE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 12,530 |
| BEECH CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 5,119 |
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.