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
CLEAR CREEK Tennessee Fair 1948 78 2,760
NOLICHUCKY RIVER Tennessee Poor 1948 78 2,011
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1948 78 1,591
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1948 78 1,591
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1948 78 1,591
GREEN HILL BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1948 78 1,370
SMITH FORK CREEK Tennessee Poor 1948 78 1,370
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1948 78 3,313
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1948 78 831
OBION RIVER Tennessee Poor 1948 78 483
DRAINAGE DITCH Tennessee Fair 1948 78 1,285
INDIAN CREEK Tennessee Poor 1948 78 90
SILVER CREEK Tennessee Good 1948 78 20
WEST FORK SHOAL CREEK Tennessee Fair 1948 78 120
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1948 78 4,041
HORSE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1948 78 4,816
BRANCH (CSTP&FWMA) Tennessee Fair 1948 78 50
S.COLONEL CREEK Tennessee Fair 1948 78 4,763
N.COLONEL CREEK Tennessee Fair 1948 78 4,763
CRYSTAL SPRING BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1948 78 4,763
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1948 78 5,792
TANYARD BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1948 78 314
HURRICANE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1948 78 930
CONE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1948 78 180
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1948 78 1,005
RIMMER CREEK Tennessee Fair 1948 78 2,189
MUDDY CREEK Tennessee Fair 1948 78 3,482
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1948 78 3,482
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1948 78 3,482
LICK CREEK Tennessee Fair 1948 78 3,482
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1948 78 115
ROCK CREEK Tennessee Fair 1948 78 6,400
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1948 78 6,400
CSX RAILROAD Tennessee Fair 1948 78 6,937
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1948 78 7,175
GREASY BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1948 78 20
DUCK RIVER Tennessee Fair 1948 78 24,920
MCCLANAHAN CREEK Tennessee Fair 1948 78 3,801
BAPTIST CREEK Tennessee Fair 1948 78 3,801
CURRY BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1948 78 4,055
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1948 78 4,055
EAST FORK CURRY BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1948 78 4,055
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1948 78 4,055
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1948 78 4,055
BIG BIGBY CREEK Tennessee Fair 1948 78 4,055
FRIERSON BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1948 78 5,405
TEN MILE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1948 78 349
BEECH FORK CREEK Tennessee Fair 1948 78 7,023
COPELAND CREEK Tennessee Fair 1948 78 4,577
LITTLE SPRING CREEK Tennessee Fair 1948 78 566

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.