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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PUNCHEON BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 100 |
| HATLEY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 5,683 |
| SAW MILL BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 831 |
| LICK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 1,935 |
| DRY HOLLOW BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 224 |
| CURT BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1947 | 79 | 224 |
| FAUCETT BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 3,836 |
| EAST FORK MULBERRY CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1947 | 79 | 40 |
| CAMPERS CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1947 | 79 | 11,876 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 14,232 |
| WELLS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 20,015 |
| DUCK RIVER | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 24,920 |
| FATTY BREAD CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 2,848 |
| JOHNS BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 3,878 |
| FLAT CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 6,242 |
| CARLTON BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 4,634 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 2,973 |
| CARDIFF CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 13,820 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 11,429 |
| CANEY CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1947 | 79 | 14,032 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 564 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Tennessee | Good | 1947 | 79 | 3,353 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1947 | 79 | 1,860 |
| TUCKAHOE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 2,142 |
| SR277 / 2861 E295 & RR | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 26,680 |
| MULHERRIN CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 873 |
| DRAKES CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 35,829 |
| RONEY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 5,780 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 5,780 |
| RED RIVER | Tennessee | Poor | 1947 | 79 | 4,108 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 4,108 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1947 | 79 | 4,496 |
| SUMMERS BRANCH | Tennessee | Poor | 1947 | 79 | 4,496 |
| CEDAR CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 1,278 |
| LAUREL BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 1,415 |
| LAUREL BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1947 | 79 | 1 |
| SINKING CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 1,117 |
| SINKING CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 1,117 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 1,117 |
| LITTLE RIVER | Tennessee | Good | 1948 | 78 | 7,307 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1948 | 78 | 7,307 |
| CLEAR CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 550 |
| SIX MILE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 550 |
| CANDIES CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1948 | 78 | 7,322 |
| MOUNTAIN CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 1,570 |
| DRY CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1948 | 78 | 1,855 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1948 | 78 | 1,855 |
| GAP CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1948 | 78 | 2,752 |
| INDIAN CAMP CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1948 | 78 | 6,723 |
| GREENBRIER CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1948 | 78 | 6,723 |
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.