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
SPRING CREEK Tennessee Fair 1950 76 4,325
MADD CREEK Tennessee Poor 1950 76 50
MADD CREEK Tennessee Fair 1950 76 50
ARNOTT BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1950 76 50
LITTLE WEST FORK CREEK Tennessee Fair 1950 76 100
LITTLE WEST FORK CREEK Tennessee Fair 1950 76 300
LITTLE WEST FORK CREEK Tennessee Fair 1950 76 300

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.