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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LITTLE BIGBY CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1925 | 101 | 726 |
| DUCK RIVER | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 820 |
| RATTLESNAKE FALLS BRANCH | Tennessee | Poor | 1925 | 101 | 365 |
| TENNESSEE SOUTHERN RR | Tennessee | Poor | 1925 | 101 | 365 |
| SUGAR CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 7,865 |
| LICK CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1925 | 101 | 10,325 |
| GREENLICK CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 10,325 |
| LITTLE BIGBY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 20,827 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 2,953 |
| HURRICANE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 50 |
| WEBB CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1925 | 101 | 1,993 |
| BLACK WOLF CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 1,993 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 17,719 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 3,584 |
| OVERFLOW | Tennessee | Good | 1925 | 101 | 3,584 |
| OVERFLOW | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 3,584 |
| HICKMAN CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 50 |
| DOG BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 1,228 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 130 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 8,388 |
| JENNINGS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 120 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1925 | 101 | 189 |
| LITTLE BIRDSONG CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 6,003 |
| CYPRESS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 6,331 |
| CANE CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1926 | 100 | 6,331 |
| COVE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 438 |
| LAUREL CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 763 |
| DOE RIVER | Tennessee | Good | 1926 | 100 | 4,911 |
| TURNER CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 8,567 |
| OBED RIVER | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 1,890 |
| FALL CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1926 | 100 | 2,039 |
| WEST FORK BUFFALO CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1926 | 100 | 7,112 |
| EAST FORK BUFFALO CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 4,645 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 16,784 |
| HURRICANE CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1926 | 100 | 34,158 |
| HURRICANE CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1926 | 100 | 34,158 |
| DRY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 23,985 |
| DRAINAGE CANAL | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 3,574 |
| DRAINAGE CANAL | Tennessee | Poor | 1926 | 100 | 3,574 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 22,306 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 22,306 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 1,743 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 3,402 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1926 | 100 | 3,402 |
| HENLEY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 1,171 |
| DRY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 1,171 |
| DRY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 1,171 |
| STRINGERS BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 30,012 |
| PANTHER BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1926 | 100 | 2,929 |
| NOSE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1926 | 100 | 2,679 |
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.