US Bridges

FAU 45 over Cumberland River

Poor

Davidson County, Tennessee · 2 M E JCT SR6&SR45 · Structure no. 19SR0450001

Built
1967
58 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected March 2023
Type
Truss - Thru
Steel
Length
1,220 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
32,950
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

FAU 45 over Cumberland River is a steel truss - thru carrying FAU 45 over Cumberland River in Davidson County, Tennessee. It was built in 1967, so it is 58 years old, older than the Tennessee average of 47.4 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

It carries about 32,950 vehicles a day, roughly 9% of them trucks, projected to reach 65,773 by 2041. The structure is 1,220 ft (371.9 m) long and 58 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

CarriesFAU 45
CrossesCumberland River
Location2 M E JCT SR6&SR45
RouteState Highway 45
Coordinates36.26258, -86.67619
Functional classUrban Other Principal Arterial

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionMarch 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating32.2 US tons
Inventory rating24.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3 (+6 approach)
Design loadHS 20
Structure length1,220 ft (371.9 m)
Longest span322 ft (98.1 m)
Deck width58 ft (17.7 m)
Roadway width42 ft (12.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deck16 ft (4.9 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic32,950 (2021)
Projected traffic65,773 by 2041
Trucks9%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionOne-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedRehabilitation because of general structure deterioration or inadequate strength
Estimated improvement cost$26 million (2021 estimate)
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was FAU 45 over Cumberland River built?

It was built in 1967, making it 58 years old in 2025.

What condition is FAU 45 over Cumberland River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in March 2023.

How much traffic does FAU 45 over Cumberland River carry?

About 32,950 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 9% are trucks.

How long is FAU 45 over Cumberland River?

The structure is 1,220 ft (371.9 m) long with a longest span of 322 ft (98.1 m) and a deck 58 ft wide.

Who owns FAU 45 over Cumberland River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.