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
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.