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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,282 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,282 |
| BROWN CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 8,464 |
| L AND N RAILROAD | Tennessee | Poor | 1924 | 102 | 14,115 |
| PINEY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 9,439 |
| PINEY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 16,024 |
| OVERFLOW | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,867 |
| BEATY BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 5,221 |
| SILVER CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1924 | 102 | 4,416 |
| NEWTON BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 4,416 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1924 | 102 | 2,325 |
| E FK RICHLAND CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,360 |
| LICK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 130 |
| OVERFLOW | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,629 |
| OVERFLOW | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,629 |
| MUDDY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,629 |
| OVERFLOW | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,629 |
| OVERFLOW | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,629 |
| OVERFLOW | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,629 |
| OVERFLOW | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,629 |
| OVERFLOW | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,629 |
| OVERFLOW | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,629 |
| BRADFORD LAKE | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,629 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 900 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1924 | 102 | 900 |
| CANE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 4,322 |
| TISDALE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 2,206 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1924 | 102 | 150 |
| OVERFLOW OF BATTLE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 656 |
| BATTLE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 656 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1924 | 102 | 910 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,253 |
| SPRING CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 886 |
| CONASAUGA RIVER | Tennessee | Poor | 1924 | 102 | 107 |
| CRIPPLE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,120 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1924 | 102 | 670 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 793 |
| NIGS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 12,550 |
| INDIAN CR DRAINAGE CANAL | Tennessee | Poor | 1924 | 102 | 16,405 |
| OWEN BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,228 |
| MUD CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1924 | 102 | 2,460 |
| SEQUATCHIE RIVER | Tennessee | Poor | 1925 | 101 | 1,090 |
| LACKEY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 120 |
| LITTLE RIVER | Tennessee | Good | 1925 | 101 | 17,917 |
| CHATATA CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 485 |
| CHESTUEE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 190 |
| BRYMER CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 7,128 |
| LITTLE SOUTH MOUSE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 5,900 |
| FILLAUER BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 9,906 |
| BRANCH OF STINKING CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 220 |
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.