State profile · Below national median SD

Tennessee bridge safety

Condition ratings, load ratings, and structural-deficiency data for every public highway bridge in Tennessee — drawn straight from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory.

20,426
Public bridges
38.0%
Good condition
4.0%
Poor condition
4.0%
Structurally deficient

Total Bridges

20,426

Public highway bridges in Tennessee

Good Condition

38.0%

7,762 bridges rated 7-9

-12.0pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

4.0%

811 bridges rated 0-4

Structurally Deficient

4.0%

811 bridges flagged for repair priority

-3.0pp vs national avg 7.0%

Tennessee vs national bridge condition

Tennessee — Good condition share 38.0%
National avg

Share of bridges rated 7-9 on the FHWA 0-9 scale (deck, superstructure, substructure all good).

Tennessee — Structurally deficient share 13.2%
National avg

Lower is better. Bar maxes at 30% (worst-state ceiling). National average sits at 7.0%.

Condition Distribution

Bridge inventory deck-condition mix - Tennessee (FHWA NBI)

Tennessee42.9%52.6%GoodFairPoor (structurally deficient)
Bridge inventory deck-condition mix - Tennessee (FHWA NBI)

Counties (95)

Anderson 175 Bedford 294 Benton 147 Bledsoe 83 Blount 220 Bradley 199 Campbell 137 Cannon 159 Carroll 240 Carter 195 Cheatham 128 Chester 127 Claiborne 101 Clay 64 Cocke 190 Coffee 217 Crockett 167 Cumberland 137 Davidson 836 DeKalb 100 Decatur 104 Dickson 243 Dyer 232 Fayette 336 Fentress 55 Franklin 157 Gibson 386 Giles 321 Grainger 88 Greene 306 Grundy 85 Hamblen 119 Hamilton 464 Hancock 61 Hardeman 223 Hardin 192 Hawkins 190 Haywood 241 Henderson 207 Henry 187 Hickman 332 Houston 118 Humphreys 250 Jackson 131 Jefferson 123 Johnson 109 Knox 588 Lake 30 Lauderdale 258 Lawrence 211 Lewis 139 Lincoln 304 Loudon 117 Macon 169 Madison 418 Marion 177 Marshall 240 Maury 433 McMinn 220 McNairy 218 Meigs 76 Monroe 145 Montgomery 187 Moore 69 Morgan 120 Obion 381 Overton 78 Perry 153 Pickett 30 Polk 140 Putnam 167 Rhea 100 Roane 161 Robertson 204 Rutherford 428 Scott 111 Sequatchie 67 Sevier 276 Shelby 1077 Smith 202 Stewart 168 Sullivan 370 Sumner 398 Tipton 201 Trousdale 88 Unicoi 161 Union 61 Van Buren 37 Warren 160 Washington 284 Wayne 282 Weakley 351 White 69 Williamson 524 Wilson 402

Tennessee vs nearby ranks

Adjacent states on the structurally deficient leaderboard (lower share = better)

States are ranked by share of bridges flagged structurally deficient — the FHWA classification for any span where deck, superstructure, or substructure carries a condition rating of 4 or below. Lower percentages indicate stronger maintenance funding and inspection follow-through. States here sit immediately above and below Tennessee on the same metric.

27

Minnesota

3.63% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$11,969

09

Connecticut

3.95% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$4,277
Selected

47

Tennessee

3.97% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$20,426

24

Maryland

4.27% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$5,527

08

Colorado

4.32% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$8,965

Bridges Needing Most Attention in Tennessee

Six lowest-condition bridges in Tennessee, ranked by composite NBI rating. Each is inspected at least every 24 months.

NFA A253

Structurally Deficient

Over: EMORY RIVER

FROZEN HEAD STATE PARK, Morgan, TN

Built 1975 Load: 1.0 t ADT: 150

NFA B485

Poor

Over: PAW PAW CREEK

S OFF I40 ON LOUDON CO LN, Roane, TN

Built 1934 Load: 1.3 t ADT: 330

NFA A153

Structurally Deficient

Over: DADDY'S CREEK (CWMA)

.1MI FROM MORGAN CO. LINE, Cumberland, TN

Built 1950 Load: 1.6 t ADT: 25

NFA A317 347891F

Poor

Over: CSX RAILROAD

3.4 MI SW JCT SR30&SR33, Polk, TN

Built 1913 Load: 1.6 t ADT: 40

NFA A191

Poor

Over: BYRAMS FORK CREEK

1 M W OF SR170 AT UNION C, Anderson, TN

Built 1970 Load: 1.9 t ADT: 70

NFA A463

Poor

Over: HILL CREEK

WITHIN 1M SE OF WOODBURY, Cannon, TN

Built 1950 Load: 1.9 t ADT: 170

All Bridges in Tennessee

NFA B085

Good

Over: HAMPTON CREEK

ON PAL ROAD, Carter, TN

Built 2022 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 30

NFA B139

Good

Over: COVE CREEK

.03MI W. OF STOCKTON RD., Carter, TN

Built 1998 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 10

NFA B077

Good

Over: DOE RIVER

E OF SR143-NEAR ROANE MTN, Carter, TN

Built 1998 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 20

FAU 3939

Good

Over: DOE RIVER

IN ELIZABETHTON, Carter, TN

Built 1926 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 4,911

FAS 400

Good

Over: SLAGLE BRANCH

2.5 M E OF WATAUGA, Carter, TN

Built 1960 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 6,206

FAS 361

Good

Over: DRY CREEK

1 M SE OF THREE MTS, Carter, TN

Built 2003 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 890

FAS 361

Good

Over: DRY CREEK

IN THREE MTS, Carter, TN

Built 1984 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 890

NFA 1383 (SA 1009)

Good

Over: POWDER BRANCH

SW LIMIT OF ELIZABETHTON, Carter, TN

Built 2020 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,348

FAP 37

Good

Over: DOE RIVER

1 M SE OF WHITE ROCK MT, Carter, TN

Built 2008 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 8,247

FAU 359

Good

Over: POWDER BRANCH

IN JOHNSON CITY, Carter, TN

Built 1997 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 7,010

FAU 359

Good

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

1 M N OF MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Carter, TN

Built 1996 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 3,155

FAU 359

Good

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

.2 M.S.MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Carter, TN

Built 1984 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 3,114

FAU 67

Good

Over: GAP CREEK

.2 M S OF WATAUGA POINT R, Carter, TN

Built 1984 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 21,912

FAS 91

Good

Over: BRANCH

.3 M OF ET&WNC RR, Carter, TN

Built 1965 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 15,458

FAS 91

Good

Over: LITTLE STONEY CREEK

OUTSIDE OF ELIZABETHTON, Carter, TN

Built 1999 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 6,824

FAS 91

Good

Over: LAUREL BRANCH

IN THE HOLSTON MTS, Carter, TN

Built 2002 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 5,380

FAS 91

Good

Over: MILL CREEK

IN THE HOLSTON MT, Carter, TN

Built 2002 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 5,380

FAS 91

Good

Over: BLEVINS BRANCH

IN HOLSTON MTS, Carter, TN

Built 2002 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 393

FAS 91

Good

Over: MINTON BRANCH

OUTSIDE OF ELIZABETHTON, Carter, TN

Built 1994 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 10,961

FAS 91

Good

Over: FURNACE BRANCH

.3 M OF ET&WNC RR, Carter, TN

Built 1999 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 6,824

FAS 91

Good

Over: BARTEE BRANCH

.3 M OF ET&WNC RR, Carter, TN

Built 1999 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 5,380

FAS 91

Good

Over: STONEY CREEK

3.5 MI FROM JOHNSON CO LN, Carter, TN

Built 2012 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 393

FAP 159

Good

Over: ELK RIVER

5 M S OF ELK MILLS, Carter, TN

Built 2012 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,132

NFA 1933 (SA 1103)

Good

Over: HARPETH RIVER

3.2 M. SE. SR250., Cheatham, TN

Built 1996 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 714

NFA 1937 (SA 1106)

Good

Over: WEST FORK POND CREEK

2.1 M. S. SR12., Cheatham, TN

Built 1960 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 426

NFA 1942 (SA 1108)

Good

Over: SUGAR FORK CREEK

3 M. NE. SR12., Cheatham, TN

Built 2004 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,433

NFA 1945 (SA 1114)

Good

Over: SYCAMORE CREEK

.1 M. N. SR-112., Cheatham, TN

Built 1979 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 518

NFA A004

Good

Over: HUNLEY BRANCH

1 M. E. MONGOMERY CO., Cheatham, TN

Built 1970 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 40

NFA A017

Good

Over: HALF PONE CREEK

0.5 M. SW. SR 12., Cheatham, TN

Built 1983 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 130

NFA A047

Good

Over: BRANCH

0.1 M. NE. SR12., Cheatham, TN

Built 1970 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 150

NFA A055

Good

Over: DRY FORK CREEK

1 M. NE. SR12., Cheatham, TN

Built 1970 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 140

NFA A055

Good

Over: BRANCH

1 M. NE. SR12., Cheatham, TN

Built 1970 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 140

NFA A062

Good

Over: RACCOON CREEK

2 M. E. SR12., Cheatham, TN

Built 1976 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 150

NFA A076

Good

Over: HALF PONE CREEK

4 M. NW SR49-4.5 M.NESR12, Cheatham, TN

Built 1983 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 210

NFA A144

Good

Over: BLUE SPRING CREEK

1.8 M. E. SR49., Cheatham, TN

Built 1998 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 50

NFA A205

Good

Over: MARROWBONE CREEK

2 M. W. DAVIDSON CO. LN., Cheatham, TN

Built 2000 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 260

NFA A216

Good

Over: MARROWBONE CREEK

1.5 M. W. DAVIDSON CO. LN, Cheatham, TN

Built 1994 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 300

NFA A226

Good

Over: DRY FORK CREEK

2.2 M. E. SR 12., Cheatham, TN

Built 1965 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 340

NFA A226

Good

Over: DRY FORK CREEK

1 M. E. SR 12., Cheatham, TN

Built 1970 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 340

NFA A236

Good

Over: LITTLE MARROWBONE CREEK

1 M. E. SR12., Cheatham, TN

Built 1984 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 120

SR 455

Good

Over: BRANCH

0.1 M. S. SR49-ASHLAND CT, Cheatham, TN

Built 2021 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 7,237

NFA A447

Good

Over: BRANCH OF TURNBULL CREEK

1.5 M W KINGSTON-SPRGS, Cheatham, TN

Built 1987 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 80

NFA A485

Good

Over: TURNIPSEED CREEK

1 M. NW. SR250., Cheatham, TN

Built 1970 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 90

NFA A525

Good

Over: BRANCH

1.5 M.S. I40., Cheatham, TN

Built 2016 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 360

NFA 979 (SA 1109)

Good

Over: RACOON CREEK

3 M. E. SR 12., Cheatham, TN

Built 1969 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 300

NFA 979 (SA 1109)

Good

Over: SPRING CREEK

2 M. NE. SR 12., Cheatham, TN

Built 2009 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 604

FAS 249

Good

Over: BLUE CREEK

.6 MI.N.E. OF LILLAMAY, Cheatham, TN

Built 1950 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 3,869

FAS 249

Good

Over: BRUSH CREEK

IN LILLAMAY, Cheatham, TN

Built 2005 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 3,869

NFA A417 (SA 1101)

Good

Over: BRANCH

1.5 MI S OF SR 1, Cheatham, TN

Built 2012 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,090

NFA 1948 (SA 1101)

Good

Over: BIG TURNBULL CREEK

1 MI S OF SR 1, Cheatham, TN

Built 1992 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 3,135

Showing 14,251-14,300 of 20,426 bridges

Related

All states → | National rankings → | Understanding conditions → | SD bridges explained →
Data sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI), latest released cycle. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges Editorial.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI). A "structurally deficient" rating is a repair-priority signal, not a closure or unsafe-to-cross designation. Consult a qualified civil engineer before making decisions based on this data.

Understanding Bridge Conditions

How FHWA rates bridge condition on a 0-9 scale.

Check Your Daily Bridges

How to look up bridge condition data for bridges on your route.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.