State profile · Near median Poor share

Kentucky 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 Kentucky.

14,548
Public bridges
26.6%
Good condition
7.4%
Poor condition

Kentucky holds 14,548 public highway bridges (#18 of 52 by inventory) with a 7.37% Poor share (#19 of 52 by Poor share).

That is 7.4% 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 34 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

14,548

Public highway bridges in Kentucky

Good Condition

26.6%

3,866 bridges rated 7-9

-23.4pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

7.4%

1,072 bridges whose lowest applicable component is rated 0-4

-0.1pp vs national avg 7.5%

Kentucky vs national bridge condition

Kentucky - Good condition share 26.6%
National avg

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

Kentucky - Poor-condition share 24.6%
National avg

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

Kentucky 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: Kentucky has 14,548 bridges and a 7.4% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #34 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 (%) KY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.37%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%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%TN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 20.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.41%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: Kentucky has 14,548 bridges and a 7.4% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #34 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.

Kentucky 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

14,548 18th of 54 higher than 36 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 Kentucky

The highlighted point is Kentucky: 14,548 bridges and 7.37% in Poor condition, rank #34 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The five jurisdictions immediately above and below Kentucky on that same Poor-share ordering:

  • North Carolina: 19,210 bridges · 6.76% Poor
  • Montana: 5,224 bridges · 6.81% Poor
  • Kentucky: 14,548 bridges · 7.37% Poor
  • New Hampshire: 2,542 bridges · 7.51% Poor
  • Oklahoma: 22,917 bridges · 7.70% Poor

The full national sortable table lives on the rankings page.

Material families in Kentucky

Exclusive FHWA material families across all 14,548 bridges in this state; continuous variants fold into the parent family. Orthogonal to the Poor-share scatter above.

Who maintains Kentucky’s inventory

State agency holds 62.6% of the 14,548 public highway bridges filed under Kentucky in the 2024 NBI, the agency-of-record split for this state, not a condition verdict.

When Kentucky’s bridges were built

Pre-1950 construction accounts for 13.8% of the 14,548 bridges with a recorded original year in Kentucky. Era bands are orthogonal to the Poor-share ranking above.

Condition Distribution

Kentucky26.6%66.1%GoodFairPoor
Bridge inventory deck-condition mix - Kentucky (FHWA NBI)

Counties (120)

Adair 143 Allen 88 Anderson 84 Ballard 85 Barren 147 Bath 89 Bell 205 Boone 138 Bourbon 112 Boyd 89 Boyle 89 Bracken 49 Breathitt 124 Breckinridge 91 Bullitt 99 Butler 98 Caldwell 116 Calloway 210 Campbell 130 Carlisle 74 Carroll 68 Carter 189 Casey 143 Christian 300 Clark 117 Clay 160 Clinton 41 Crittenden 89 Cumberland 93 Daviess 282 Edmonson 39 Elliott 53 Estill 56 Fayette 200 Fleming 117 Floyd 161 Franklin 117 Fulton 95 Gallatin 55 Garrard 67 Grant 79 Graves 380 Grayson 119 Green 57 Greenup 161 Hancock 70 Hardin 223 Harlan 252 Harrison 153 Hart 57 Henderson 184 Henry 94 Hickman 123 Hopkins 251 Jackson 51 Jefferson 662 Jessamine 58 Johnson 99 Kenton 142 Knott 134 Knox 127 Larue 54 Laurel 131 Lawrence 103 Lee 42 Leslie 112 Letcher 179 Lewis 149 Lincoln 136 Livingston 104 Logan 135 Lyon 78 Madison 154 Magoffin 107 Marion 149 Marshall 208 Martin 70 Mason 97 McCracken 201 McCreary 39 McLean 75 Meade 24 Menifee 49 Mercer 75 Metcalfe 78 Monroe 70 Montgomery 74 Morgan 114 Muhlenberg 152 Nelson 151 Nicholas 82 Ohio 227 Oldham 66 Owen 54 Owsley 55 Pendleton 94 Perry 176 Pike 331 Powell 110 Pulaski 182 Robertson 24 Rockcastle 87 Rowan 130 Russell 46 Scott 183 Shelby 137 Simpson 50 Spencer 58 Taylor 92 Todd 80 Trigg 109 Trimble 44 Union 127 Warren 106 Washington 104 Wayne 76 Webster 144 Whitley 149 Wolfe 77 Woodford 60

Kentucky 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 Kentucky on the same metric.

NC

North Carolina

6.76% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$19,210

MT

Montana

6.81% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$5,224
Selected

KY

Kentucky

7.37% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$14,548

NH

New Hampshire

7.51% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$2,542

OK

Oklahoma

7.70% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$22,917

Bridges Needing Most Attention in Kentucky

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

WIDS ROAD

Poor

Over: WHITE OAK CREEK

100 NE OF JCT CR 5156, Adair, KY

Built 1971 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 10

PETROLEUM RD

Poor

Over: LITTLE TRAMMEL CREEK

0.2 MI. E JCT US 31E, Allen, KY

Built 1975 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 164

DEERFIELD ROAD

Poor

Over: STOVALL CREEK

.7 MI W OF JCT KY 802, Ballard, KY

Built 1988 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 40

KY-3042

Poor

Over: DIX RVR-HERRINGTON LAKE

.05 MI EAST OF KY34, Boyle, KY

Built 1924 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 630

KY-1951

Poor

Over: SNAG CREEK

2.4 MI. S.E KY 1019, Bracken, KY

Built 1988 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 36

Jones Branch

Poor

Over: South Fk Quicksand Creek

100 S of KY 1098 MP 9.23, Breathitt, KY

Built 2013 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 55

All Bridges in Kentucky

HEATHEN RIDGE ROAD

Fair

Over: WILDCAT BRANCH

.4 MI SE OF JCT CR 5021, Grant, KY

Built 2014 Load: 40.7 t ADT: 46

J R THOMAS RD

Fair

Over: MOORES CREEK

.1 MI S - KY 577, Jackson, KY

Built 1992 Load: 40.7 t ADT: 60

OAK ST

Fair

Over: LAGON CREEK

1 BLOCK S. KY 8, Kenton, KY

Built 1982 Load: 40.7 t ADT: 267

US-0150

Fair

Over: HANGING FORK CREEK

WBL 1.7 MI SE OF BOYLE CL, Lincoln, KY

Built 1959 Load: 40.7 t ADT: 12,003

KY-698

Fair

Over: PITTS CREEK

.45 MI E OF JCT KY 198, Lincoln, KY

Built 1986 Load: 40.7 t ADT: 234

KY-141

Fair

Over: CASEY CREEK

1.6 MI SE OF NE JCT US 60, Union, KY

Built 1935 Load: 40.7 t ADT: 827

House Bridge Rd

Fair

Over: CASEY CREEK

1 MI SE JCT US 60, Union, KY

Built 2022 Load: 40.7 t ADT: 155

I-75 NC

Fair

Over: KY727-BARTON RD-WCL CORB

1.25 MI N OF N-JCT US 25W, Whitley, KY

Built 1968 Load: 40.7 t ADT: 22,410

KY-76

Fair

Over: BR OF CASEY CREEK

.65 MI N OF JCT KY 551, Adair, KY

Built 1958 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 941

KY-768

Fair

Over: DRY FK OF CABIN FK CREEK

.35 MI. SW. OF JCT KY 92, Adair, KY

Built 1957 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 207

KY-768

Fair

Over: CEDAR CREEK

.80 MI NE. OF JCT KY 55, Adair, KY

Built 1957 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 324

KY-1702

Fair

Over: SHORT CREEK

.40 MI NOR OF JCT KY 768, Adair, KY

Built 1962 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 330

KY-101

Fair

Over: NORTH PRONG

2.3 MI N OF JCT KY 1332, Allen, KY

Built 1937 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,061

KY-1578

Fair

Over: DODDY BRANCH

2.3 MI S OF JCT KY 1421, Allen, KY

Built 1956 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 856

Osburn Rd

Fair

Over: Buck Creek

1.0 Mi W of Ky 482, Allen, KY

Built 2003 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 70

KY-1105

Fair

Over: BONE BRANCH

2.0 MI N.E. OF JCT KY 310, Ballard, KY

Built 1951 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 226

KY-1105

Fair

Over: UNNAME STREAM

1.0 MI WEST OF JCT KY 358, Ballard, KY

Built 1951 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 226

KY-1105

Fair

Over: UNNAME STREAM

.80 MI WEST OF JCT KY 358, Ballard, KY

Built 1951 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 226

KY-473

Fair

Over: UNNAME STREAM

.70 MI SOU. OF JCT US 60, Ballard, KY

Built 1952 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 189

KY-473

Fair

Over: UNNAMED STREAM

1.7 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 286, Ballard, KY

Built 1952 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 189

KY-1368

Fair

Over: LITTLE SHAWNEE CREEK

.25 MI EAST OF JCT US 60, Ballard, KY

Built 1953 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 171

KY-1368

Fair

Over: BRANCH OF SHAWNEE CREEK

1.0 MI WEST OF JCT KY 129, Ballard, KY

Built 1953 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 171

KY-249

Fair

Over: ROSE CREEK

.2 MI S OF JCT KY 1318, Barren, KY

Built 1938 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,389

KY-252

Fair

Over: BUSTER BRANCH

1.3 MI E OF JCT KY 255, Barren, KY

Built 1938 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 852

KY-252

Fair

Over: COOKS CREEK

.75 MI WEST OF JCT KY 255, Barren, KY

Built 1938 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 597

KY-70

Fair

Over: BR OF BLUE SPRING CREEK

AT METCALFE - BARREN CL, Barren, KY

Built 1935 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,164

KY-921

Fair

Over: BR OF PETER CREEK

1.45 MI. N. JCT KY 87, Barren, KY

Built 1950 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 309

KY-839

Fair

Over: EATON BRANCH

1.0 MI NOR. OF MONROE CL, Barren, KY

Built 1956 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 798

KY 1297

Fair

Over: HUGGINS CREEK

1.0 MI N OF CMBRL PW U, Barren, KY

Built 1956 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 4,614

MAYFIELD MILL RD

Fair

Over: BARREN FORK

1.7 MI N OF JCT US 68, Barren, KY

Built 1988 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 74

KY-111

Fair

Over: WILLOW RUN BRANCH

1.2 MI SW OF JCT KY 1944, Bath, KY

Built 1955 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 699

KY-965

Fair

Over: LITTLE MILL CREEK

.3 MI S OF JCT KY 1331, Bath, KY

Built 1949 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 425

KY-965

Fair

Over: LITTLE SLATE CREEK

.1 MI NE OF MONTGOMERY CL, Bath, KY

Built 1949 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 425

KY-1325

Fair

Over: EAST FORK OF FLAT CREEK

1.2 MI S OF JCT KY 1602, Bath, KY

Built 1951 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 311

KY-1602

Fair

Over: LICK BRANCH

1.8 MI E OF JCT KY 1325, Bath, KY

Built 1956 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 88

KY-1331

Fair

Over: PEELED OAK CREEK

2.0 MI S.W. OF JCT KY 965, Bath, KY

Built 1976 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 488

KY-66

Fair

Over: LAWSON CREEK

1.7 MI SW OF JCT KY 2011, Bell, KY

Built 1951 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 209

KY-1344

Fair

Over: HANCES CREEK

1.0 MI S.E. OF JCT US 119, Bell, KY

Built 1952 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 422

KY-535

Fair

Over: CLEAR FORK CREEK

.40 MI EAST OF JCT KY 74, Bell, KY

Built 1949 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 51

US-25E

Fair

Over: PARK CREEK

@ BOTTOM OF VA. MTN., Bell, KY

Built 1996 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 18,996

CR-1720

Fair

Over: Stony Fork

BELL COAL CRUSHER 74, Bell, KY

Built 1999 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 300

KY-18

Fair

Over: ALLEN FORK

1.2 MI WEST OF JCT KY 338, Boone, KY

Built 1958 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 6,106

FEELEY RD

Fair

Over: WOOLPER CREEK

.2 MI NE JCT KY 338, Boone, KY

Built 1994 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 67

KY-32

Fair

Over: HOOKTOWN BRANCH

.3 MI. W OF JCT KY 1879, Bourbon, KY

Built 1956 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,498

KY-3293

Fair

Over: Big Garner Creek

.001 EAST OF KY 5, Boyd, KY

Built 2002 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 583

KY-37

Fair

Over: NOSCO CREEK

2.8 MI W OF JCT KY 300, Boyle, KY

Built 1956 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 923

DRY FORK ROAD

Fair

Over: DRY FORK

1.6 MI N JCT US150, Boyle, KY

Built 1990 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 25

MILL CREEK ROAD

Fair

Over: MILL CREEK

20 N OF JCT - KY 1856, Boyle, KY

Built 1993 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 63

OSCAR BRADLEY RD

Fair

Over: WILSON CREEK

1.9 MI N JCT W/WHITES RD, Boyle, KY

Built 1995 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 57

KY-542

Fair

Over: HUGHES CREEK

1.4 MI E OF JCT KY 1111, Breathitt, KY

Built 1953 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 17

Showing 5,901-5,950 of 14,548 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 Kentucky's inventory picture to drill to a county or a specific span.

  • Browse counties in Kentucky 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. Kentucky 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.