A number of East Tennessee bridges are listed in poor condition.

With all eyes on the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in Baltimore, the status and safety of bridges across the country is now under the microscope.

WVLT counted 51 bridges across East Tennessee that are listed in poor condition, with a number of them being along Interstates 40, 75, 275, and 81. The Baxter and Heiskell Avenue bridges on I 275 built in 1959 are on that poor bridge report from 2020.

The federal government used to use “structurally deficient” in its ratings, but TDOT uses good, fair and poor and officials say the bridge is still safe even in that condition. It just means that one part of the bridge may need attention. TDOT says they will not allow any bridge or road to be open if it presents a danger to the motoring public.

To view the full report, please go to https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/structures/Tennessee-State-Owned-Poor-Bridges-082321.pdf