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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CYPRESS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 12,323 |
| HUGGINS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 10,016 |
| HOGWALLOW CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1927 | 99 | 10,016 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 9,139 |
| BATTLE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 656 |
| BIG FIERY GIZZARD CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 656 |
| GILLIAM CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 656 |
| KELLY COVE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 656 |
| RICHLAND CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1927 | 99 | 428 |
| SHEEPNECK BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 365 |
| BIG BIGBY CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1927 | 99 | 365 |
| TENNESSEE SOUTHERN RR | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 7,865 |
| COVEY BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 4,034 |
| MASSINGALE CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1927 | 99 | 2,086 |
| MILL CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 1,482 |
| LYTLE CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1927 | 99 | 2,520 |
| LYTLE CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1927 | 99 | 18,412 |
| SINKING CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1927 | 99 | 39,808 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 1,993 |
| LITTLE INDIAN CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1927 | 99 | 50 |
| BOOHER CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 965 |
| BLEDSOE CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1927 | 99 | 10,746 |
| BIG CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 24,851 |
| BRUSH CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 100 |
| CANE CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 7,661 |
| SMITH FORK CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1927 | 99 | 320 |
| CEDAR CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 120 |
| SPRING CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 960 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1927 | 99 | 350 |
| SUGAR CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 1,860 |
| OVERFLOW | Tennessee | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 4,139 |
| OVERFLOW | Tennessee | Good | 1928 | 98 | 4,139 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 4,139 |
| REEDY CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 4,139 |
| BEAVER CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 7,953 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1928 | 98 | 6,139 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 6,139 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Good | 1928 | 98 | 5,231 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 5,231 |
| FRENCH BROAD RV & SOU RW | Tennessee | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 1,282 |
| MAMMYS CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 2,039 |
| KING CREEK | Tennessee | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 2,039 |
| SEVEN MILE CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 41,823 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 31,559 |
| PAGES BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 16,805 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 16,805 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Fair | 1928 | 98 | 16,805 |
| BRANCH | Tennessee | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 20,871 |
| NORTH FORK EWING CREEK | Tennessee | Poor | 1928 | 98 | 20,871 |
| DRY CREEK | Tennessee | Good | 1928 | 98 | 16,655 |
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.