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
BUFFALO CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 7,010
RICHLAND CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 1,770
LITTLE SUGAR CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 70
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1925 101 1,251
BIG CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 40
LITTLE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 120
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1925 101 3,300
CHOATE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 90
CHOATE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 90
CHOATE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 90
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1925 101 90
GAP CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 10
PIGEON CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 370
CARSON CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 346
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1925 101 230
BRADLEY CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 80
WALKER CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 5,183
WHITEHORN SHORT CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 3,979
HATCHIE RIVER Tennessee Fair 1925 101 1,629
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1925 101 5,411
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1925 101 5,411
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1925 101 4,572
MUD CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 4,572
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1925 101 4,572
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1925 101 4,572
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1925 101 3,214
TRACE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 2,150
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1925 101 7,746
TRACE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 7,746
YELLOW BANK BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1925 101 9,403
HURRICANE CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 9,403
CULVERT BRANCH Tennessee Good 1925 101 9,234
WILLIAMS CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 4,110
NELSON CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 2,206
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1925 101 2,206
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1925 101 2,068
BRANCH Tennessee Poor 1925 101 278
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1925 101 278
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1925 101 1,973
FERGUSON BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1925 101 270
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1925 101 4,479
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1925 101 4,479
BRANCH Tennessee Good 1925 101 4,479
CYPRESS CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 2,836
ROBERTSON CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 2,836
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1925 101 2,836
CUB CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 2,836
SANDY CREEK Tennessee Fair 1925 101 13,896
LITTLE SEQUATCHIE RIVER Tennessee Fair 1925 101 1,883
BRANCH Tennessee Fair 1925 101 85

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.