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
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.