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
NEAL BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1940 86 540
PATTON HOLLOW BRANCH Tennessee Good 1940 86 190
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1940 86 2,672
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1940 86 6,566
SPRING CREEK Tennessee Good 1940 86 10,633
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1940 86 10,633
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1940 86 10,633
NORTH CHICKAMAUGA CREEK Tennessee Fair 1940 86 300
MUDDY CREEK Tennessee Fair 1940 86 50
CARR BRANCH Tennessee Poor 1941 85 1,514
WEAKLEY CREEK Tennessee Good 1941 85 4,801
WEAKLEY CREEK OVERFLOW Tennessee Good 1941 85 4,801
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1941 85 4,801
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1941 85 4,801
HOOK CREEK Tennessee Fair 1941 85 4,801
PISTOL CREEK Tennessee Good 1941 85 4,787
PISTOL CREEK Tennessee Fair 1941 85 2,890
LITTLE RIVER Tennessee Fair 1941 85 3,992
WATAUGA RIVER Tennessee Poor 1941 85 888
TIGER CREEK Tennessee Fair 1941 85 1,386
OVERFLOW Tennessee Fair 1941 85 2,460
LAUREL FORK CREEK Tennessee Poor 1941 85 2,460
MILL CREEK Tennessee Poor 1941 85 40
NFA A035-FAU 4334-CSX RR Tennessee Fair 1941 85 17,321
LITTLE DUCK RIVER Tennessee Poor 1941 85 16,822
HESSEY BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1941 85 12,037
WAGNER CREEK Tennessee Poor 1941 85 14,723
BOILING FORK CREEK Tennessee Fair 1941 85 16,421
GERMAN CR. CHEROKEE LAKE Tennessee Fair 1941 85 2,737
SHIELDS CREEK Tennessee Fair 1941 85 5,584
RILEY CREEK Tennessee Fair 1941 85 733
BRANCH Tennessee Poor 1941 85 1,770
HALE BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1941 85 1,770
PORTERS CREEK Tennessee Fair 1941 85 3,870
BIG CREEK Tennessee Fair 1941 85 1,094
BIG CREEK Tennessee Poor 1941 85 1,147
MOORESBURG CREEK Tennessee Fair 1941 85 7,510
ERIN BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1941 85 5,372
DANIEL CREEK Tennessee Fair 1941 85 700
PECK BRANCH Tennessee Good 1941 85 664
BEARD BRANCH Tennessee Good 1941 85 5,405
GREENLICK CREEK Tennessee Fair 1941 85 6,849
EAST FORK GREENLICK CREE Tennessee Fair 1941 85 6,849
BAT CREEK Tennessee Fair 1941 85 1,557
BONE CAMP CREEK Tennessee Fair 1941 85 466
WEST FORK OBEY RIVER Tennessee Fair 1941 85 894
WOLF CREEK Tennessee Fair 1941 85 5,563
DILLARD CREEK Tennessee Fair 1941 85 692
DESHEA CREEK Tennessee Poor 1941 85 13,975
HONEY RUN CREEK Tennessee Poor 1941 85 8,067

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.