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
KEEL BRANCH Tennessee Good 1942 84 1,697
WORKHOUSE BAYOU Tennessee Fair 1942 84 31,566
DILLARD CREEK Tennessee Good 1942 84 692
TILSON CREEK Tennessee Fair 1942 84 234
SAMS CREEK Tennessee Fair 1942 84 215
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1942 84 620
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1942 84 620
CYPRESS CREEK Tennessee Poor 1942 84 317
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1942 84 8,970
ARRINGTON CREEK Tennessee Fair 1942 84 8,970
WILSON BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1942 84 8,970
TELLICO RIVER Tennessee Fair 1942 84 100
WILBUR BLUFF Tennessee Fair 1942 84 849
WATAUGA RIVER Tennessee Fair 1942 84 841
STOCK CREEK Tennessee Fair 1943 83 6,431
UNION TEMPLE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1943 83 3,530
BUSBY CREEK Tennessee Good 1943 83 2,735
CYPRESS CREEK Tennessee Fair 1943 83 2,290
ROBERTS CREEK Tennessee Fair 1943 83 321
SEEHORN CREEK Tennessee Fair 1943 83 831
BALL CREEK Tennessee Fair 1943 83 240
INDIAN CREEK Tennessee Fair 1943 83 100
BRUSH CREEK Tennessee Poor 1943 83 3,340
NEELEYS CREEK Tennessee Good 1943 83 6,075
CASPER CREEK Tennessee Fair 1943 83 5,140
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1943 83 4,385
BLEDSOE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1943 83 4,385
ROCKY CREEK Tennessee Fair 1943 83 5,135
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1943 83 1,883
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1943 83 2,500
DRY BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1943 83 2,500
DALE HOLLOW DAM SPILLWAY Tennessee Fair 1943 83 136
OCOEE RIVER Tennessee Good 1943 83 50
LITTLE GASSAWAY CREEK Tennessee Good 1943 83 50
BULL RUN CREEK Tennessee Fair 1944 82 16,580
TAYLOR CREEK Tennessee Fair 1944 82 4,855
RUSHING CREEK Tennessee Fair 1944 82 1,843
OVERFLOW Tennessee Poor 1944 82 120
THOMPSON CREEK Tennessee Fair 1944 82 250
SNAKE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1944 82 2,561
GATTIS CREEK Tennessee Good 1944 82 2,788
EAGLE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1944 82 6,641
LITTLE EAGLE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1944 82 5,908
POLECAT CREEK Tennessee Poor 1944 82 230
BEAR CREEK Tennessee Fair 1944 82 1,830
S. FK. FOUNTAIN CREEK Tennessee Poor 1944 82 150
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1944 82 14,534
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1945 81 22,020
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1945 81 1,626
S. FORK CROOKED CREEK Tennessee Fair 1945 81 214

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.