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)

Tennessee38.000587486536766%46.607265250171345%GoodFairPoorStructurally 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 A405

Good

Over: SOUTH INDIAN CREEK

NEAR JCT OF SR 36 & SR81, Unicoi, TN

Built 1986 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 50

NFA A304

Good

Over: NORTH INDIAN CREEK

W OF SR36-S OF UNICOI, Unicoi, TN

Built 1984 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 70

NFA A455

Good

Over: MARTINS CREEK

IN THE CITY OF ERWIN, Unicoi, TN

Built 1998 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 250

NFA A455

Good

Over: MARTINS CREEK

IN THE CITY OF ERWIN, Unicoi, TN

Built 1998 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 250

NFA A481

Good

Over: DRY CREEK

.1 MI NW OF DRY CREEK RD, Unicoi, TN

Built 2021 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 10

NFA A482

Good

Over: N INDIAN CREEK

.01 M N OF SR 107, Unicoi, TN

Built 2000 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 90

NFA A484

Good

Over: SOUTH INDIAN CREEK

LAVRN HILL RD, Unicoi, TN

Built 2000 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 10

NFA A507

Good

Over: DEVIL FORK CREEK

1MI OF SR 352, Unicoi, TN

Built 2009 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 10

NFA A038

Good

Over: SOUTH INDIAN CREEK

E OF SR81-.5 M N OF ROCKY, Unicoi, TN

Built 1987 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 10

NFA A609

Good

Over: SOUTH INDIAN CREEK

E OFF SR81 N OF SR352 JCT, Unicoi, TN

Built 1998 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 20

NFA 1347 (SA 8602)

Good

Over: HIGGINS CREEK

1.8 M S OF SR36, Unicoi, TN

Built 1980 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 234

I26 RT LN

Good

Over: CSX RAILROAD

2.3 M S OF CARTER CO LINE, Unicoi, TN

Built 1985 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 15,784

I26 LT LN

Good

Over: CSX RAILROAD

2.3 M S OF CARTER CO LINE, Unicoi, TN

Built 1985 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 15,784

I26 RAMP

Good

Over: N. FK. ROCKY CREEK

NORTH OF ERWIN, Unicoi, TN

Built 1981 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 13,947

NFA 1347 (SA 8602)

Good

Over: HIGGINS CREEK

E OF SR81 AT FLAG POND, Unicoi, TN

Built 2018 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 594

FAS 36

Good

Over: WATTS BRANCH

2.1 M S JCT SR36&SR81, Unicoi, TN

Built 1928 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 339

FAS 36

Good

Over: SPIVEY CREEK

1.5 M S JCT SR36&SR81, Unicoi, TN

Built 1995 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 339

FAS 36

Good

Over: SPIVEY CREEK

1.3 MI.S.OF ERNESTNILLE, Unicoi, TN

Built 1990 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 511

NFA 2559

Good

Over: INDIAN CREEK

.1 M S JCT SR81&SR352, Unicoi, TN

Built 1996 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 480

FAS 352

Good

Over: ROCK FORK CREEK

.1 M NE JCT SR81&SR352, Unicoi, TN

Built 1996 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 858

FAP 406 (SR 81)

Good

Over: SOUTH INDIAN CREEK

.1 M SW JCT SR81&SR36, Unicoi, TN

Built 1996 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 858

FAS 107

Good

Over: INDIAN CREEK

3 MI.S.EAST OF UNICOI, Unicoi, TN

Built 2004 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 4,687

FAS 107

Good

Over: RED FORD CREEK

1.7 M SE JCT SR107&SR173, Unicoi, TN

Built 1991 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,057

FAS 107

Good

Over: CSX RR

NEAR ERWIN, Unicoi, TN

Built 2015 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 9,422

FAS 173 644501J

Good

Over: CLINCHFIELD RAILROAD

JUST E OF NEW SR 36, Unicoi, TN

Built 1985 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 5,170

NFA 1274

Good

Over: HAMILTON GAP CREEK

SE OF SR33 SR61 JCT, Union, TN

Built 1987 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 808

NFA 1345

Good

Over: LITTLE BARREN CREEK

1.5 NW OF SR33 AT CO LINE, Union, TN

Built 2021 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 137

NFA A120

Good

Over: N FK BULL RUN CREEK

IN MAYNARDVILLE-S OF SR33, Union, TN

Built 1996 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 90

NFA A120

Good

Over: BULL RUN CREEK

BTWN LUTTRELL & MAYNARDVL, Union, TN

Built 1987 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 90

NFA A121

Good

Over: BULL RUN CREEK

NW OF LUTTRELL, Union, TN

Built 2016 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 90

NFA A121

Good

Over: N. FORK BULL RUN CREEK

NEAR MAYNARDVILLE, Union, TN

Built 2016 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 90

NFA A122

Good

Over: BULL RUN CREEK

NW OF LUTTRELL, Union, TN

Built 1960 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 90

NFA A137

Good

Over: FLAT CREEK

E OF SR61-IN LUTTRELL, Union, TN

Built 2016 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 170

NFA A156

Good

Over: N FORK BULL RUN CREEK

S OF SR33 AT MAYNARDVILLE, Union, TN

Built 1980 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 210

NFA A156

Good

Over: RACCOON CREEK

E OF SR33 AT PAULETTE, Union, TN

Built 2022 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 930

NFA D346

Good

Over: BULL RUN CREEK

3.2 MI E OF PAULETTE, Union, TN

Built 2008 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 80

NFA 1299

Good

Over: LITTLE BRANCH

BTWN SR61 & 131-S OF LUTT, Union, TN

Built 2023 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 518

NFA 1090 (SA 8711)

Good

Over: HUNTING CREEK

.1 M E OF SHARPS CHAPEL, Union, TN

Built 2001 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 1,746

NFA 1090 (SA 8711)

Good

Over: BRANCH

1.8 M E OF SHARPS CHAPEL, Union, TN

Built 2010 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 2,533

FAP 33

Good

Over: CLINCH RIVER(NORRIS LAKE

5.6 MI.NE.OF MAYNARDVILLE, Union, TN

Built 2016 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 7,637

FAS 144

Good

Over: BULL RUN CREEK

.5 M W JCT SR144&SR370, Union, TN

Built 1986 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 3,217

FAS 144

Good

Over: N FORK BULL RUN CREEK

1.2 M SE JCT SR144&SR33, Union, TN

Built 2011 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 3,217

FAS 284

Good

Over: PINEY CREEK

2 MI. EAST OF SR 111, Van Buren, TN

Built 1977 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 941

NFA 1134 (SA 8802)

Good

Over: BOULDIN BRANCH

2 MI FROM SR111, Van Buren, TN

Built 1986 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 632

NFA 2140 (SA 8804)

Good

Over: LITTLE DOUBLE CREEK

SOUTH OF CANEY FORK RIVES, Van Buren, TN

Built 1950 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 100

NFA 2185 (SA 8801)

Good

Over: BIG BRANCH

2.5 MI N OF SEQUATCHIE CO, Van Buren, TN

Built 1992 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 262

NFA 2185 (SA 8801)

Good

Over: HARPER BRANCH

2MI FROM WARREN CO LINE, Van Buren, TN

Built 1984 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 262

NFA 2185 (SA 8801)

Good

Over: BEE FORK CREEK

6 MI S OF SR 30, Van Buren, TN

Built 1993 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 262

NFA A070

Good

Over: SPRING CREEK

1MI FROM BLEDSOE CO LINE, Van Buren, TN

Built 1983 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 10

NFA A075

Good

Over: JACK BRANCH

0.9 N OF SR-30, Van Buren, TN

Built 2000 Load: 32.4 t ADT: 50

Showing 18,451-18,500 of 20,426 bridges

Related

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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.