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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DONOHO BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 18,956 |
| TUCKERS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 1,789 |
| DONOHO BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1941 | 85 | 18,879 |
| DONOHO BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 18,956 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1941 | 85 | 13,240 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1941 | 85 | 13,240 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1941 | 85 | 13,240 |
| FLAT CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 821 |
| WALLACE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 821 |
| GARRISON CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 1,447 |
| BURNS BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 1,447 |
| DRAINAGE CANAL | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 1,000 |
| CSX RAILROAD | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 3,395 |
| FORT LOUDON LAKE | Tennessee | Good | 1942 | 84 | 2,148 |
| LACKEY CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1942 | 84 | 2,148 |
| BUCK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 275 |
| POWELL RIVER | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 206 |
| BIG SYCAMORE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 1,316 |
| SINKING CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 1,951 |
| CLAY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 110 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 1,050 |
| NORTH FORK ROCK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 2,840 |
| BEANS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 3,034 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1942 | 84 | 29,173 |
| GAP BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 5,584 |
| BUCK HOLLOW BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 5,584 |
| BRIAR FORK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 10,846 |
| POOR VALLEY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 7,794 |
| CLOUD CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1942 | 84 | 420 |
| RENFROE CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1942 | 84 | 299 |
| WEST SANDY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 844 |
| BIG SANDY RIVER | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 2,515 |
| WEST SANDY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 3,025 |
| LOST CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1942 | 84 | 90 |
| INDIAN CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1942 | 84 | 1,020 |
| THIRD CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 1,180 |
| SINKING CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 17,152 |
| MURPHY CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1942 | 84 | 8,162 |
| FOURTH CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 16,770 |
| LYONS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 17,282 |
| CLIFTS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 17,282 |
| TENNESSEE SOUTHERN RR | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 56 |
| STEEKEE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 4,322 |
| POND CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 2,014 |
| TAYLORS BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1942 | 84 | 4,853 |
| DRY BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 4,889 |
| TOWN CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 1,799 |
| TOESTRING BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1942 | 84 | 274 |
| MUDDY CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1942 | 84 | 1,068 |
| CHEATHAM BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1942 | 84 | 7,865 |
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.