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

NFA A036

Fair

Over: MILL CREEK

2.8 MI NW JCT SR21&SR184, Obion, TN

Built 1975 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 110

FAS 325

Fair

Over: DRY CREEK

AT PICKETT FENTRESS CO LI, Pickett, TN

Built 1995 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 645

FAS 378

Fair

Over: RICHLAND CREEK

IN DAYTON CITY LIMITS, Rhea, TN

Built 1974 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 5,170

I65

Fair

Over: I65 LL / BETHEL RD

.3 M NE ROB SUMN CO LI, Robertson, TN

Built 1972 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 56,822

NFA 1084 (SA 7520)

Fair

Over: OVERALL CREEK

2.3 MI NW JCT I24&SR96, Rutherford, TN

Built 2004 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 7,925

NFA 2392

Fair

Over: WEBB CREEK

E OFF US27 AT MORGAN CO L, Scott, TN

Built 1940 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 269

FAP 35

Fair

Over: KNOB CREEK

4.5 MI.W.OF SEVIERVILLE, Sevier, TN

Built 1931 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 18,846

NFA A020

Fair

Over: NONCONNAH CREEK

SYCAMORE RD - COLLIERVILL, Shelby, TN

Built 2005 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 1,000

I240

Fair

Over: I-240 EB RP / PEABODY

0.16 MI N OF SR-4 JCT., Shelby, TN

Built 1968 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 82,917

I-240 WB

Fair

Over: TARENT BRANCH

0.29 MI. N OF I-55 JCT., Shelby, TN

Built 1960 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 102,621

FAS 175

Fair

Over: HORN LAKE CREEK

1 M S OF SR14, Shelby, TN

Built 2005 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 4,055

FAP 385

Fair

Over: MEMPHIS-ARLINGTON RD

1.7 MI N OF I-40 JCT., Shelby, TN

Built 1996 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 16,804

FAP 385

Fair

Over: MEMPHIS-ARLINGTON RD

1.7 MI N OF I-40 JCT., Shelby, TN

Built 1996 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 16,804

NFA 945 (SA 8106)

Fair

Over: HAYES FORK CREEK

2MI.S-E OF BUMPUS MILLS, Stewart, TN

Built 1958 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 613

FAS 120

Fair

Over: SALINE CREEK

IN BUMPAS MILLS TN, Stewart, TN

Built 1975 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 1,119

I181 RT LN

Fair

Over: SR 93 RAMP D

JCT SR 93 IN KINGSPORT, Sullivan, TN

Built 1981 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 41,117

I81

Fair

Over: SOUTH FORK HOLSTON RIVER

1 M NE JCT I81&SR36, Sullivan, TN

Built 1973 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 32,258

FAU 5287

Fair

Over: SUMMERS BRANCH

2.4 M E JCT SR41&SR52, Sumner, TN

Built 1934 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 3,624

NFA 4701

Fair

Over: MARTIN CREEK

IN ERWIN, Unicoi, TN

Built 1928 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 3,743

NFA A319

Fair

Over: HARDIN BRANCH

3 MI NORTH OF US70S, Warren, TN

Built 1955 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 60

NFA A912

Fair

Over: NOLICHUCKY RIVER

ON SNAP BRIDGE ROAD, Washington, TN

Built 1986 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 190

FAP 81 731214K

Fair

Over: LITTLE LIMSTN CR &SOU RW

.1 M NW JCT SR81&SR353, Washington, TN

Built 1938 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 9,226

NFA 1780 (SA 9106)

Fair

Over: ROBINSON HOLLOW BRANCH

7.3 MI NW JCT SR13&SR203, Wayne, TN

Built 1996 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 113

NFA 915 (SA 9102)

Fair

Over: CYPRESS CREEK

2.0 MI NW JCT SR227&ALA.L, Wayne, TN

Built 1969 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 320

NFA 815 (SA 9220)

Fair

Over: OBION RIVER OVERFLOW

RUTHVILLE RD, Weakley, TN

Built 1990 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 272

NFA 0855

Fair

Over: OVERFLOW

PARKERS LEVEE ROAD, Weakley, TN

Built 1963 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 654

NFA 855 (SA 9215)

Fair

Over: MUD CREEK

2.4 MI W OF SR43, Weakley, TN

Built 1996 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 654

FAP 43

Fair

Over: SR-43 / TRAVIS RD.

NEAR MARTIN, Weakley, TN

Built 1987 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 4,733

FAP 43

Fair

Over: SR-43 / TRAVIS RD.

NEAR MARTIN, Weakley, TN

Built 1987 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 4,733

FAP 43

Fair

Over: OVERFLOW

3 MI JCT NW SR 124, Weakley, TN

Built 1993 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 7,344

FAS 118

Fair

Over: MUD CREEK

IN DRESDEN CITY LIMITS, Weakley, TN

Built 1954 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 1,586

FAS 124

Fair

Over: BRANCH

6 MI.EAST OF GREENFIELD, Weakley, TN

Built 1989 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 1,198

NFA 2216 (SA 9312)

Fair

Over: FALLING WATER RIVER

5MI SOUTH OF PUTNAM CO, White, TN

Built 1963 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 1,277

NFA A285

Fair

Over: LOST CREEK

2 MI W OF BOTTOM RD, White, TN

Built 1994 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 20

NFA A484

Fair

Over: WEST FORK OF SPRING CR

0.5 MI N JCT SR11&MARSHAL, Williamson, TN

Built 1950 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 220

NFA 2036 (SA 9512)

Fair

Over: BEECH LOG CREEK

0.8 MI SOUTH OF SR 26, Wilson, TN

Built 1970 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 335

NFA A097

Fair

Over: SPENCER CREEK

0.3 MI WEST OF SR109, Wilson, TN

Built 1975 Load: 26.9 t ADT: 630

NFA 2010 (SA 0215)

Fair

Over: GARRISON FORK CREEK

6 M. NE. WARTRACE., Bedford, TN

Built 1950 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 522

NFA 1749

Fair

Over: BURNSIDE CREEK

1.3 MI NE JCT SR1&SR69A, Benton, TN

Built 1975 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 1,438

FAS 191

Fair

Over: BEAVER DAM CREEK

2.5 MILES EAST OF CAMDEN, Benton, TN

Built 1975 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 1,504

FAP 67

Fair

Over: LAUREL CREEK

1.4 M SW OF HAMPTON, Carter, TN

Built 1929 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 7,310

FAU 67

Fair

Over: SR-359 & BUFFALO CREEK

JUST SW OF ELIZABETHTON, Carter, TN

Built 1986 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 24,080

FAS 249

Fair

Over: DRY CREEK

1.7 MI.S. OF LILLAMAY, Cheatham, TN

Built 1965 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 2,788

NFA A093

Fair

Over: KNEELAS CREEK

3 M W OF SR160-N OF BYBEE, Cocke, TN

Built 1982 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 150

FAP 9

Fair

Over: SINKING CREEK

2 M SW OF NEWPORT, Cocke, TN

Built 1929 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 19,151

I40 WBL

Fair

Over: DADDYS CREEK & NFA A244

1.8 MI FROM SR1, Cumberland, TN

Built 1966 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 30,660

FAP 76

Fair

Over: MUDDY CREEK

4 MI.S.OF HAYWOOD COUNTY, Fayette, TN

Built 1951 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 1,438

NFA A340

Fair

Over: MUD CREEK

SOUTH OF SR50, Franklin, TN

Built 1974 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 50

NFA A590

Fair

Over: CROSS CREEK

OFF SR 56-5 MI N OF ST LN, Franklin, TN

Built 1975 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 30

NFA A087

Fair

Over: CLINCH RIVER

IN NE CORNER OF CO., Hancock, TN

Built 1975 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 120

Showing 3,901-3,950 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.