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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRUSHY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 4,083 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 14,914 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 19,523 |
| CANE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 3,395 |
| DOE RIVER | Tennessee | Poor | 1946 | 80 | 270 |
| WATAUGA RIVER | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 3,884 |
| BROWNS CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1946 | 80 | 13,013 |
| WHITES CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 6,848 |
| WOLF CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 386 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 386 |
| WOLF CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 386 |
| WOLF CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 642 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 1,678 |
| OLIVER BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1946 | 80 | 260 |
| WEAKLEY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 30 |
| EZELL BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1946 | 80 | 7,801 |
| HIGHLAND SPRINGS BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 5,076 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 5,076 |
| BIG WAR CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 233 |
| LEE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 140 |
| CLEAR CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 1,648 |
| MUDDY CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1946 | 80 | 1,648 |
| COPLEY CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1946 | 80 | 3,437 |
| BATTLE CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1946 | 80 | 110 |
| CAVE COVE BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 110 |
| SPRING CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 17,032 |
| OLD SR-33 / OCOEE RIVER | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 8,437 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1946 | 80 | 8,437 |
| BEAR CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1946 | 80 | 6,052 |
| PUMPKIN BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1946 | 80 | 4,853 |
| POLK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1946 | 80 | 4,861 |
| BLACK BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1946 | 80 | 10,633 |
| DRAINAGE CANAL | Tennessee | Good | 1947 | 79 | 200 |
| DRAINAGE CANAL | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 200 |
| DRAINAGE CANAL | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 200 |
| BUFFALO CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 7,250 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 7,250 |
| BUFFALO CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 980 |
| CYPRESS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 3,395 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1947 | 79 | 5,419 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 5,419 |
| HUNTERS BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 27,039 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 27,039 |
| CSXT RR & SHONDA LN. | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 829 |
| BIG HICKORY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 829 |
| EATONS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 6,848 |
| S. FORK SYCAMORE CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1947 | 79 | 11,214 |
| SYCAMORE CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1947 | 79 | 776 |
| PINE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 3,760 |
| LOOSAHATCHIE RIVER | Tennessee | Poor | 1947 | 79 | 5,388 |
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.