County profile · official public datasets

Pulaski County, KY

182 public highway bridges tracked in the FHWA National Bridge Inventory: 19.8% rated Good, 74.7% Fair, 5.5% Poor.

182
Public bridges
19.8%
Good condition
5.5%
Poor condition

The verdict

According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory.

Pulaski County posts a better-than-median Poor-condition share among rated counties in the state across mid-size county bridge inventory.

Top 34%
lowest Poor share in state
5.5%
Poor-condition share
182
public highway bridges
1980
avg year built

Poor is an FHWA condition category from the lowest applicable component rating (4 or below), not a live crossing-safety or closure decision. Rankings cover counties with at least five public highway bridges.

Pulaski County Bridge Snapshot

According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, Pulaski County ranks #41 of 120 Kentucky counties with at least 5 public highway bridges on Poor-condition share (lower share ranks better; currently 5.5%). Pulaski County, Kentucky contains 182 public highway bridges. Roughly 19.8% are rated “Good,” 74.7% “Fair,” and 5.5% “Poor.” Poor means the lowest applicable deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert rating is 4 or below on the 0–9 NBI scale. It is a condition category, not a live safety or closure decision.

Responsible agencies inspect covered bridges on risk-based intervals under current NBIS rules and submit inventory data to FHWA annually. The list below shows every NBI-tracked bridge in the county. Use the “Sort by” controls to change the ordering, and click any row for its reported inspection date, traffic count, and condition fields.

Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See methodology for full definitions.

Total bridges

182

Public highway bridges in Pulaski County

Good condition

19.8%

36 of 182 rated 7-9

Fair condition

74.7%

136 of 182 rated 5-6

Poor condition

5.5%

10 of 182 rated 4 or below

In-state Poor-share rank

#41 of 120

Among Kentucky counties with 5+ bridges, lower share ranks better

Condition distribution

Share of 182 NBI-tracked bridges by lowest applicable component rating.

Good
19.8% (36)
Fair
74.7% (136)
Poor
5.5% (10)

Pulaski County's Poor-condition bridges carry 6,362 vehicle crossings a day

That is 1.4% of the county's reported daily bridge traffic on 5.5% of its bridges: Poor-condition structures carry less traffic than their share of the inventory. Each Poor bridge averages 636 crossings a day against 2,784 for a Good-condition one. A Poor rating is a condition category, not a closure or a live safety judgement; it means the lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below.

Computed over the 182 of 182 bridges in this county that report an average daily traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.

47.3% of Pulaski County's bridges have passed the 50-year mark

86 of the 182 bridges with a recorded construction year were built in 1974 or earlier. Age alone is not a defect: a well-maintained older bridge can rate Good, and 19.8% of this county's inventory does. Even so, this older cohort is the population from which future Poor ratings are drawn, which is why the age profile below matters alongside the condition split above.

Cutoff derives from the 2024 release year minus a 50-year design life. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.

One structure carries 30.7% of the county's Poor-condition bridge traffic

KY-196 over LITTLE WHITE OAK CREEK, built 1989, carries 1,954 vehicles a day, the most of any Poor-rated structure here. The county's Poor-condition exposure is concentrated rather than evenly spread, so the 10-bridge count understates how much of the daily burden sits on a single crossing.

Share is of the 6,362 daily crossings on Poor-rated bridges that report a traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.

When Pulaski County's bridges were built

182 bridges with a recorded construction year, grouped by decade

bridges

What this shows Construction peaked in the 2000s, when 33 of the county's bridges still in the inventory were built, which is 18.1% of those with a recorded year. That cohort is now 15 to 24 years old in the 2024 inventory. Its average build year (1980) matches the Kentucky average (1978).

Source FHWA National Bridge Inventory (year built) As of 2024 NBI release

How Pulaski County compares with Kentucky's closest counties by inventory size

The 5 Kentucky counties nearest Pulaski County in number of bridges, with their condition splits. Its 5.5% Poor share is the 3rd-lowest of these 6. Its average build year of 1980 against a peer-group mean of 1981 is in line with the group.

Showing the 5 closest of 119 Kentucky counties eligible for comparison.

Bridge inventory size and condition shares for Pulaski County and the 5 Kentucky counties closest to it in inventory size
County Bridges Poor
Carter County 189 6.3%
Henderson County 184 4.9%
Scott County 183 9.8%
Pulaski County (this page) 182 5.5%
Letcher County 179 11.2%
Perry County 176 4.5%

Each share is of that county's own total tracked bridges; peers are the counties with 5 or more bridges whose inventory size is closest to Pulaski County's. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.

Nationwide counties with similar inventory size or average build year

Two NBI-derived peer sets for Pulaski County, both outside Kentucky so the neighborhoods are not the same-state size table above.

Similar inventory size

Nearest county inventories outside KY (182 bridges here).

Similar average build year

Nearest mean year-built outside KY (1980 here).

Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release. Peers floor at 10 bridges so stub inventories cannot own the match.

All 182 Good 36 Fair 136 Poor 10

Fair-condition bridges (136)

KY-1676

Fair

Over: FISHING CREEK @HOGUE

5.0 MI S.W. OF JCT KY 635, Pulaski, KY

Built 1970 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 477

DORENA ROAD

Fair

Over: HOUSE FORK CREEK

0.3 MI W. JCT KY 837, Pulaski, KY

Built 1997 Load: 31.5 t ADT: 83

US-27

Fair

Over: PITTMAN CREEK @ CUMBERL

.25 MI NORTH OF JCT KY 90, Pulaski, KY

Built 2000 Load: 31.8 t ADT: 9,571

KY-192

Fair

Over: PITMAN CREEK

3.2 MI EAST OF JCT KY 692, Pulaski, KY

Built 1959 Load: 32.0 t ADT: 2,203

VAUGHT RDG RD

Fair

Over: ROCK LICK CREEK

.15 MI SW JCT CR 5617, Pulaski, KY

Built 1999 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 99

Aderholt Road

Fair

Over: Cedar Sinking Creek

1.5 Mi. south of 790, Pulaski, KY

Built 2015 Load: 32.2 t ADT: 282

GARNER SCHOOLHOUSE

Fair

Over: PITMAN CREEK

0.9 MI E OF KY 80 BY-PASS, Pulaski, KY

Built 1953 Load: 32.5 t ADT: 506

Old Bull Road

Fair

Over: Pitman Creek

1.3 Mi SE of KY-452, Pulaski, KY

Built 2015 Load: 32.5 t ADT: 69

KY-769

Fair

Over: PITMAN CREEK

4.2 MI SOUTH OF JCT KY192, Pulaski, KY

Built 1963 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,337

KY-70

Fair

Over: BEE LICK CREEK

.30 MI W OF ROCKCASTLE CL, Pulaski, KY

Built 1960 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1,036

KY-2993

Fair

Over: CUMBERLAND PARKWAY

.641 MI N OF JCT KY 80, Pulaski, KY

Built 1972 Load: 32.8 t ADT: 433

ADERHOLT ROAD

Fair

Over: MAYFIELD BRANCH

2.15 M S of JCT KY 790, Pulaski, KY

Built 2013 Load: 33.3 t ADT: 254

PINEY GROVE RD

Fair

Over: CUMBERLAND PARKWAY

3.5 MI N&E OF JCT KY 80, Pulaski, KY

Built 1972 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 51

SMITH VAUGHT RD

Fair

Over: BIG CLIFTY CREEK

1.1 MI NE JCT KY 635, Pulaski, KY

Built 1996 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 37

KY-70

Fair

Over: FISHING CREEK

.05 MI NE OF JCT KY 635, Pulaski, KY

Built 1958 Load: 34.1 t ADT: 286

KY-80

Fair

Over: BUCK CREEK

1.7 MI E OF JCT KY 1003, Pulaski, KY

Built 1978 Load: 34.3 t ADT: 9,414

KY-1676

Fair

Over: ROCK LICK CRK-W OF HOGUE

5.4 MI S.W. OF JCT KY 635, Pulaski, KY

Built 1970 Load: 34.8 t ADT: 231

WHEELER RD

Fair

Over: INDIAN CREEK

.15 MI S. KY 452, Pulaski, KY

Built 1990 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 49

KY-1677

Fair

Over: BUCK CREEK

1.5 MI. EAST JCT KY 461, Pulaski, KY

Built 1982 Load: 36.3 t ADT: 359

US-27

Fair

Over: CUMBERLAND RIVER

0.4 MILES S. OF JCT KY 90, Pulaski, KY

Built 2001 Load: 36.4 t ADT: 13,473

OCALA RD

Fair

Over: CLIFTY CREEK

2.35 MILES EAST OF KY 39, Pulaski, KY

Built 1972 Load: 36.7 t ADT: 94

OGDEN STREET

Fair

Over: NS (CNO&TP) SYSTEM

.10 MI EAST OF JCT US 27, Pulaski, KY

Built 1932 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 7,864

KY-461

Fair

Over: BUCK CREEK

2.25 MI N OF JCT KY 1677, Pulaski, KY

Built 1987 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 6,696

KY-39

Fair

Over: BUCK CREEK

1.4 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 452, Pulaski, KY

Built 1964 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 1,873

EAST FROG HOLLOW R

Fair

Over: HOLTZCLAW BRANCH

.8 MI SE OF JCT US 27, Pulaski, KY

Built 1971 Load: 37.6 t ADT: 259

KY-837

Fair

Over: CUMBERLAND PARKWAY

2.5 MI S OF JCT KY 80, Pulaski, KY

Built 1972 Load: 37.7 t ADT: 212

KY-1675

Fair

Over: BR OF SHORT CREEK

.4 MI SE OF JCT NEW KY 80, Pulaski, KY

Built 1932 Load: 39.7 t ADT: 697

KY-39

Fair

Over: CANEY FORK

.5 MI NOR -JCT KY 80, Pulaski, KY

Built 1986 Load: 39.8 t ADT: 7,937

KY-70

Fair

Over: BARNEY BRANCH

1 MI. EAST JCT KY 865, Pulaski, KY

Built 1951 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 1,158

US-27

Fair

Over: PITMAN CREEK

1.2 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 452, Pulaski, KY

Built 1959 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 9,517

KY-196

Fair

Over: WHITE OAK CREEK

1.5 MI SOUTH OF JCT KY 80, Pulaski, KY

Built 1940 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 1,723

KY-461

Fair

Over: FLAT LICK CREEK

.20 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 80, Pulaski, KY

Built 1972 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 10,744

BARNESBURG RD

Fair

Over: FLAT LICK CREEK

2.25 MI NE OF KY 1371, Pulaski, KY

Built 1946 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 991

US 27 RAMP C NB

Fair

Over: NS (CNO & TP) RR

269 N. OF JCT KY 1247, Pulaski, KY

Built 2008 Load: 40.1 t ADT: 19,141

KY-70

Fair

Over: SAM BRANCH

.10 MI WEST OF JCT KY 635, Pulaski, KY

Built 1948 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 692

KY-328

Fair

Over: BR OF BEE LICK CREEK

.75 MI WEST OF JCT KY 39, Pulaski, KY

Built 1951 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 208

KY-692

Fair

Over: ROCKLICK CREEK

2.9 MI N.E. OF JCT KY 192, Pulaski, KY

Built 1949 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 348

KY-692

Fair

Over: SOUL CHAPEL BRANCH

2.2 MI N.E. OF JCT KY 192, Pulaski, KY

Built 1949 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,401

KY-692

Fair

Over: ROCK LICK CREEK

2.5 MI N.E. OF JCT KY 192, Pulaski, KY

Built 1949 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,401

KY-692

Fair

Over: ROCK LICK CREEK

3.2 MI N.E. OF JCT KY 192, Pulaski, KY

Built 1950 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 348

KY-1003

Fair

Over: WHETSTONE CREEK

4.9 MI SO. OF JCT KY 80, Pulaski, KY

Built 1953 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 151

KY-761

Fair

Over: WHITE OAK CREEK

1.9 MI S.W. OF JCT KY-235, Pulaski, KY

Built 1952 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 842

KY-761

Fair

Over: SPUTTER BRANCH

2.5 MI S.W. OF JCT KY-235, Pulaski, KY

Built 1952 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 842

KY 2298

Fair

Over: ALLEN BRANCH

0.2 MI W OF JCT KY 2292, Pulaski, KY

Built 1989 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 5,604

US 27 NBL

Fair

Over: NS (CNO & TP )RR

.132 MI. S. OF JT KY 1247, Pulaski, KY

Built 2008 Load: 42.1 t ADT: 7,217

KY-692

Fair

Over: PITMAN CREEK

1.0 MI N OF JCT KY 192, Pulaski, KY

Built 1987 Load: 42.8 t ADT: 1,401

KY-635

Fair

Over: PITMAN CREEK

1.7 MI EAST OF JCT US 27, Pulaski, KY

Built 1966 Load: 42.9 t ADT: 1,011

KY-192

Fair

Over: MUD LICK CREEK

1.6 MI WEST JCT KY 1003, Pulaski, KY

Built 1948 Load: 43.2 t ADT: 1,026

Valley Rd

Fair

Over: Big Clifty Creek

.25 M E CR 1672, Pulaski, KY

Built 2010 Load: 43.4 t ADT: 69

US 27

Fair

Over: NS (CNO & TP ) RR

NBL US 27 EXIT RAMP A, Pulaski, KY

Built 2008 Load: 44.3 t ADT: 6,737

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Related

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Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges

Every figure on PlainBridges is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. NBI condition categories reflect the latest reported inventory record, not a live safety, closure, or travel decision.