State profile · Below median Poor share

Tennessee bridge safety

According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, condition ratings, load ratings, and Poor-condition shares for every public highway bridge in Tennessee.

20,379
Public bridges
42.5%
Good condition
4.4%
Poor condition

Tennessee holds 20,379 public highway bridges (#10 of 52 by inventory) with a 4.41% Poor share (#41 of 52 by Poor share).

That is 4.4% of the state's inventory, against an average of 7.5% across the 54 states and territories with Poor-rated bridges on file, which places it 12 of 54 ordered from the lowest Poor share upward. A bridge is rated Poor when its weakest applicable component scores 4 or below on the inspecting agency's 0-9 scale, so the category is a maintenance and funding signal rather than a closure order or a live crossing-safety verdict.

Inventory: FHWA NBI 2024 · last ETL August 2026

Total Bridges

20,379

Public highway bridges in Tennessee

Good Condition

42.5%

8,664 bridges rated 7-9

-7.5pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

4.4%

898 bridges whose lowest applicable component is rated 0-4

-3.1pp vs national avg 7.5%

Tennessee vs national bridge condition

Tennessee - Good condition share 42.5%
National avg

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

Tennessee - Poor-condition share 14.7%
National avg

Lower is better. Bar maxes at 30% (worst-state ceiling). National average sits at 7.5%.

Tennessee in the national condition pattern

Each point is a state or territory in the FHWA NBI; the highlighted point is this profile.

Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Tennessee has 20,379 bridges and a 4.4% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #12 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold. Scatter plot of 54 data points. 0%10%20%30%40% 0k20k40k60k Public bridges in inventory (thousands) Poor-condition share (%) TN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 20.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.41%AL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.35%AK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.89%AZ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.15%AR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.43%CA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 25.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.91%CO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.82%CT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.72%DE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.26%DC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.95%FL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.79%GA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.59%GU, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.77%HI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.53%ID, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.9%IL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.35%IN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.22%IA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 19.16%KS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.26%KY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.37%LA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 12.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.48%ME, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.41%MD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.56%MA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.88%MI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 11.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.27%MN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.44%MS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.03%MO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.95%MT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.81%NE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.9%NV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.14%NH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.51%NJ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 6.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.01%NM, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.51%NY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 17.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.43%NC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.76%ND, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 10.98%OH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.74%OK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 22.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.7%OR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.61%PA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.58%PR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 13.92%RI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.2%SC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.17%SD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 16.36%TX, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 56.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.23%UT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.91%VT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.9%VI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 29.17%VA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.39%WA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.45%WV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 7.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 18.64%WI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.52%WY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.51%
Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Tennessee has 20,379 bridges and a 4.4% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #12 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold.

Tennessee vs all states by public bridge inventory

Where this state's FHWA NBI public-highway bridge count sits among every state and territory on PlainBridges

20,379 10th of 54 higher than 44 of 54 states

States and territories, banded by public bridge inventory size

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more states. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source FHWA National Bridge Inventory · 2024

Read the rank neighborhood for Tennessee

The highlighted point is Tennessee: 20,379 bridges and 4.41% in Poor condition, rank #12 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The five jurisdictions immediately above and below Tennessee on that same Poor-share ordering:

  • Alabama: 16,205 bridges · 3.35% Poor
  • Virginia: 14,120 bridges · 3.39% Poor
  • Tennessee: 20,379 bridges · 4.41% Poor
  • Minnesota: 13,532 bridges · 4.44% Poor
  • New Mexico: 4,035 bridges · 4.51% Poor

The full national sortable table lives on the rankings page.

Material families in Tennessee

Exclusive FHWA material families across all 20,379 bridges in this state; continuous variants fold into the parent family. Orthogonal to the Poor-share scatter above.

Who maintains Tennessee’s inventory

State agency holds 41.4% of the 20,379 public highway bridges filed under Tennessee in the 2024 NBI, the agency-of-record split for this state, not a condition verdict.

When Tennessee’s bridges were built

Pre-1950 construction accounts for 11.7% of the 20,379 bridges with a recorded original year in Tennessee. Era bands are orthogonal to the Poor-share ranking above.

Condition Distribution

Tennessee42.5%53.1%GoodFairPoor
Bridge inventory deck-condition mix - Tennessee (FHWA NBI)

Counties (95)

Anderson 175 Bedford 294 Benton 147 Bledsoe 83 Blount 215 Bradley 199 Campbell 137 Cannon 159 Carroll 240 Carter 195 Cheatham 128 Chester 127 Claiborne 98 Clay 64 Cocke 190 Coffee 217 Crockett 167 Cumberland 137 Davidson 832 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 331 Houston 118 Humphreys 250 Jackson 131 Jefferson 122 Johnson 109 Knox 588 Lake 30 Lauderdale 258 Lawrence 211 Lewis 136 Lincoln 304 Loudon 117 Macon 169 Madison 418 Marion 177 Marshall 240 Maury 424 McMinn 219 McNairy 218 Meigs 76 Monroe 145 Montgomery 186 Moore 69 Morgan 120 Obion 381 Overton 78 Perry 153 Pickett 30 Polk 140 Putnam 167 Rhea 100 Roane 159 Robertson 204 Rutherford 428 Scott 111 Sequatchie 67 Sevier 273 Shelby 1077 Smith 202 Stewart 168 Sullivan 368 Sumner 398 Tipton 201 Trousdale 88 Unicoi 161 Union 61 Van Buren 37 Warren 160 Washington 284 Wayne 274 Weakley 351 White 69 Williamson 520 Wilson 402

Tennessee vs nearby ranks

Adjacent states by Poor-condition share (lower share = better)

States are ranked by the share of bridges whose lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below. This describes recorded condition; it does not measure funding effectiveness or live crossing safety. States here sit immediately above and below Tennessee on the same metric.

AL

Alabama

3.35% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$16,205

VA

Virginia

3.39% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$14,120
Selected

TN

Tennessee

4.41% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$20,379

MN

Minnesota

4.44% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$13,532

NM

New Mexico

4.51% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$4,035

Bridges Needing Most Attention in Tennessee

Six lowest-condition bridges in Tennessee, ranked by the portal's composite display score. Inspection intervals are risk-based under current NBIS rules.

NFA A868

Poor

Over: NINE MILE CREEK

14 M. SW. MARYVILLE., Blount, TN

Built 1930 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 40

NFA 5551

Poor

Over: GALLAGHER CREEK

SW OF SR 333, Blount, TN

Built 1930 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 1,214

DOSSETT LANE

Poor

Over: CSX RAILROAD

DOSSETT LANE / CSX RAILRO, Campbell, TN

Built 1915 Load: 0.0 t

NFA A258

Poor

Over: SPRING CREEK

IN THE CITY OF MCKENZIE, Carroll, TN

Built 1960 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 850

FAU 06022

Poor

Over: GAP CREEK

2 MI SE OF SR 67, Carter, TN

Built 1948 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 2,752

NFA A985

Poor

Over: STONEY CREEK

S OF SR91-NE PART OF CO., Carter, TN

Built 1978 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 170

All Bridges in Tennessee

FAS 130

Poor

Over: BLUE CREEK

.7 MI.S.OF COFFEE CO.LN., Franklin, TN

Built 1960 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 6,056

NFA 2483

Poor

Over: ROGERS BRANCH

2.7 MI.N.OF TRENTON, Gibson, TN

Built 1929 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 3,076

NFA 2483

Poor

Over: BRANCH

2.6 MI.N.OF TRENTON, Gibson, TN

Built 1929 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 3,076

NFA A064

Poor

Over: BIG CREEK

6 M SW OF LYNNVILLE, Giles, TN

Built 1975 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 60

NFA A110

Poor

Over: ROBERTSON FORK BRANCH

1 M E OF LYNNVILLE, Giles, TN

Built 1950 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 180

NFA A177

Poor

Over: INDIAN CREEK

3.5 M N OF ELKTON, Giles, TN

Built 1948 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 90

FAP 70

Poor

Over: BRANCH

1. M S OF SR172, Greene, TN

Built 2002 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 1,188

FAS 346

Poor

Over: SURGOINSVILLE CREEK

2.4 M W OF SURGOINSVILLE, Hawkins, TN

Built 1923 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 1,688

FAP 31

Poor

Over: POOR VALLEY CREEK

2.0 M N OF HANCOCK CO LN, Hawkins, TN

Built 1958 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 2,295

FAP 70

Poor

Over: MILL CREEK

IN FROG LEVEL, Hawkins, TN

Built 1981 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 589

FAS 200

Poor

Over: MIDDLE FORK CREEK

2 M SW OF HENSN & CHES CL, Henderson, TN

Built 1970 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 496

NFA 1833 (SA 4103)

Poor

Over: SULPHUR FORK CREEK

5.5 M E PLEASANTVILLE, Hickman, TN

Built 1970 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 133

NFA A277

Poor

Over: BIG SWAN CREEK

7 M SOUTH OF CENTERVILLE, Hickman, TN

Built 1972 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 100

NFA A325

Poor

Over: BEAVER DAM CREEK

5 M SW OF CENTERVILLE, Hickman, TN

Built 1968 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 130

NFA A325

Poor

Over: BEAVER DAM CREEK

5 M W CENTERVILLE, Hickman, TN

Built 1972 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 130

NFA A270

Poor

Over: BLUE BUCK CREEK

7 M W OF SHADY GROVE, Hickman, TN

Built 1970 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 50

NFA 1848 (SA 4111)

Poor

Over: HALEY CREEK

2 M EAST OF CENTERVILLE, Hickman, TN

Built 1950 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 220

NFA 2510

Poor

Over: LOST CREEK

S OF US11E AT NEW MARKET, Jefferson, TN

Built 1940 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 301

NFA 2516 (SA 4527)

Poor

Over: CARTER CREEK

S OF I81 NEAR WHITE PINE, Jefferson, TN

Built 1918 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 414

NFA A302

Poor

Over: FORGE CREEK

S OF SR167 E OF MTN CITY, Johnson, TN

Built 1978 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 70

NFA 2424 (SA 4734)

Poor

Over: MANIFOLD CREEK

KODAK RD-W OF MIDWAY EXIT, Knox, TN

Built 1933 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 608

NFA A187

Poor

Over: MULBERRY CREEK

2 M. S. KELSO., Lincoln, TN

Built 1965 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 40

NFA A808

Poor

Over: BACON CREEK

IN CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Loudon, TN

Built 1930 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 220

NFA A347

Poor

Over: CHESTUEE CREEK

.3MI WEST OF SR33, McMinn, TN

Built 1973 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 140

NFA A164

Poor

Over: LICK CREEK

6 MI W OF SR22, McNairy, TN

Built 1975 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 165

NFA A805

Poor

Over: GRAHAM CREEK

0.3 MI N OF SR15, McNairy, TN

Built 1975 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 120

FAU 3043

Poor

Over: BRANCH

IN JACKSON CITY LIMITS, Madison, TN

Built 1930 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 9,794

NFA A444

Poor

Over: POPLAR SPRINGS BRANCH

NEAR STATE LINE, Marion, TN

Built 1940 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 1,690

NFA 1897 (SA 6016)

Poor

Over: DUCK RIVER

7 M. SE. COLUMBIA., Maury, TN

Built 1962 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 76

NFA 1916 (SA 6010)

Poor

Over: LITTLE BIGBY CREEK

7 M. NW. CULLEOKA., Maury, TN

Built 1925 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 726

NFA A189

Poor

Over: CEDAR CREEK

12. M. SE. COLUMBIA., Maury, TN

Built 1940 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 60

NFA A381

Poor

Over: SUGAR CREEK

ARROW MINES RD@MTPLEASANT, Maury, TN

Built 1930 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 860

NFA A412

Poor

Over: DOG BRANCH

3 M. NW. MT. PLEASANT., Maury, TN

Built 1940 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 100

NFA A424

Poor

Over: BAPTIST CREEK

6 M. NW. MT. PLEASANT., Maury, TN

Built 1934 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 130

FAU 3194 350583D

Poor

Over: TENNESSEE SOUTHERN RR

IN COLUMBIA CITY LIMITS, Maury, TN

Built 1966 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 5,803

FAP 68

Poor

Over: SR 68 / SR 29 & SOU RR

IN SPRING CITY, Rhea, TN

Built 1989 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 3,370

NFA A480

Poor

Over: SULPHUR FORK

IN CITY OF SPRINGFIELD, Robertson, TN

Built 1960 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 250

NFA A190

Poor

Over: FALL CREEK

4.6 MI NW JCT SR10&SR266, Rutherford, TN

Built 1930 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 120

NFA A527

Poor

Over: WEST FORK STONES RIVER

3.4 MI SW JCT SR10&SR269, Rutherford, TN

Built 1988 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 70

NFA B084

Poor

Over: LYTLE CREEK

SALEM RD NEAR MILL ST, Rutherford, TN

Built 1927 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 2,520

NFA B006

Poor

Over: W PRG LITTLE PIGEON RIVE

IN PIGEON FORGE, Sevier, TN

Built 1913 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 7,870

FAU 5029

Poor

Over: JOHNS CREEK

AMERICAN WAY - MEMPHIS, Shelby, TN

Built 1975 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 13,191

FAU 2878

Poor

Over: BRANCH

COLEMAN RD - MEMPHIS, Shelby, TN

Built 1963 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 25,735

NFA C025

Poor

Over: W BEAVER CREEK

BRUNSWICK RD - SHELBY CO, Shelby, TN

Built 1977 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 200

FAU 5081

Poor

Over: DRAINAGE DITCH

HODGE RD - MEMPHIS, Shelby, TN

Built 1964 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 3,414

FAU 2851

Poor

Over: MONROE AVE/D THOMAS BLVD

MONROE AVE - MEMPHIS, Shelby, TN

Built 1965 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 2,732

NFA 2084 (SA 8016)

Poor

Over: BRANCH

7.0 MI NE JCT SR85&SR263, Smith, TN

Built 1919 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 179

FAU 3899

Poor

Over: BR OF REEDY CREEK

FT ROBINSON DR-KINGSPORT, Sullivan, TN

Built 1938 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 3,100

FAS 44

Poor

Over: BRANCH

1.9 M SW JCT DR44&SR358, Sullivan, TN

Built 1977 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 1,302

FAU 355

Poor

Over: REEDY CREEK

.66 MI.S.OF SR001, Sullivan, TN

Built 1955 Load: 24.3 t ADT: 6,249

Showing 20,051-20,100 of 20,379 bridges

Related

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

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). Poor condition is an inspection-record category, not a closure or unsafe-to-cross designation. Consult the bridge owner for current status.

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.

What to do with this

Use Tennessee's inventory picture to drill to a county or a specific span.

  • Browse counties in Tennessee and open the highest-Poor shares first. County list
  • See where this state sits among peers on Poor-condition share. State rankings
  • Compare this state with another jurisdiction on the same measures. State compare

NBI condition ratings are inventory snapshots, not live crossing-safety verdicts.

Every figure on PlainBridges is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. Tennessee Good/Fair/Poor shares and county rollups on this page are computed from the same NBI extract as the national boards; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2024 NBI release. NBI condition categories reflect the latest reported inventory record, not a live safety, closure, or travel decision.