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
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.