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

US-62

Fair

Over: BILLY CREEK

1.55 MI SW OF 31W BYPASS, Hardin, KY

Built 1988 Load: 47.8 t ADT: 12,505

KY-987

Fair

Over: CRUMMIES CREEK

100 W OF JCT KY 3001, Harlan, KY

Built 1981 Load: 47.8 t ADT: 769

VIM DR

Fair

Over: TRIB TO GREASY DITCH

0.65 MI E OF KY 61, Jefferson, KY

Built 1964 Load: 47.8 t ADT: 1,948

KY-379

Fair

Over: CUMBERLAND PARKWAY

1 MI SW OF JCT KY 430, Russell, KY

Built 1973 Load: 47.8 t ADT: 2,940

US-25E

Fair

Over: US 25E UNDR-SKYLAND DR.

1.36 MI N JCT TENN ST.LN, Bell, KY

Built 1986 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 18,996

I-275WB

Fair

Over: I471SB&RMP F&UNDR RMP B

WB I275 OVR I471SB&RMP F, Campbell, KY

Built 1974 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 47,977

BEREA RD

Fair

Over: CANE RUN

.3 MI S JCT KY 1973, Fayette, KY

Built 1997 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 665

KY-777

Fair

Over: RT. FORK OF BEAVER CREEK

.25 MI NW OF JCT NEW KY80, Floyd, KY

Built 1967 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 917

Mink Branch Rd

Fair

Over: Mud Creek

0.1 MI W of JCT KY 979, Floyd, KY

Built 1986 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 632

ROUGH AND TOUGH BR

Fair

Over: MIDDLE CREEK

.1 MI S JCT KY 114, Floyd, KY

Built 2000 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 266

WESTERN KENTUCKY P

Fair

Over: W RHUDES CREEK

WBL .9 MI W-KY 1904 UP, Hardin, KY

Built 1962 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 6,288

WK-9001

Fair

Over: W RHUDES CREEK

EBL .9 MI W-KY 1904 UP, Hardin, KY

Built 1962 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 6,288

GRIFFITH LN

Fair

Over: CATRONS CREEK

.3 MI SW JCT KY 72, Harlan, KY

Built 2003 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 100

AUDUBON PKY NC

Fair

Over: LICK CK

WBL 3.8 MI W OF KY 416, Henderson, KY

Built 1970 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 4,347

AU-9005

Fair

Over: LICK CK

EBL 3.8 MI W OF KY 416, Henderson, KY

Built 1970 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 4,347

WK-9001

Fair

Over: POND RIVER

EBL AT MUHLENBERG CL, Hopkins, KY

Built 1963 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 5,255

Western Kentucky P

Fair

Over: DRAKES CREEK

WBL 1.9 MI E OF PNYRL PW, Hopkins, KY

Built 1963 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 5,255

KY-112

Fair

Over: CLEAR CREEK

530 W.-JCT.US 41A, Hopkins, KY

Built 1983 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 3,303

I-264

Fair

Over: GARRS LN

1.1 MI W OF US 31W, Jefferson, KY

Built 1971 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 51,998

I-264

Fair

Over: S FORK BEARGRASS CREEK

0.5 MI E OF KY 1703, Jefferson, KY

Built 1993 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 130,433

WILMORE ROAD

Fair

Over: SOUTHERN RAILROAD

.6 MI. N JCT US 27, Jessamine, KY

Built 1999 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 6,808

MORRIS LANE

Fair

Over: LITTLE RICHLAND CREEK

_, Knox, KY

Built 2007 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 100

KY-876

Fair

Over: SILVER CREEK

4.8 MI WEST OF JCT. I-75, Madison, KY

Built 2001 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 1,007

CURTIS PIKE

Fair

Over: WILGREEN LAKE OUTLET

1.9 MI S OF JCT KY 876, Madison, KY

Built 1955 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 356

KY-189

Fair

Over: POND RIVER

ON CHRISTIAN-MUHLENBERG C, Muhlenberg, KY

Built 1938 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 494

SUGAR CAMP BR

Fair

Over: LONG FORK CREEK

SE @JCT KY 1469, Pike, KY

Built 1984 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 233

KY-9000

Fair

Over: BRUSH CREEK

2 MI NW OF KY 15 NTRCHNG, Powell, KY

Built 1962 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 12,665

I-75 NORTHBOUND

Fair

Over: POKEBERRY ROAD

2.3 MI N. OF KY 32, Scott, KY

Built 2007 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 23,517

HOAGLAND HILL RD

Fair

Over: DUTCHMAN CREEK

0.55 MI E OF BULLITT CL, Spencer, KY

Built 1975 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 107

PONDSVILLE RD

Fair

Over: SINKING CREEK

.7 MI S OF JCT CR 5030, Warren, KY

Built 1975 Load: 47.9 t ADT: 164

KY-8

Fair

Over: DRY CREEK

.10 MI WEST OF KENTON CL, Boone, KY

Built 1958 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 2,372

US-23

Fair

Over: HOODS CREEK

NBL .10 MI SE OF JCT KY 5, Boyd, KY

Built 1965 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 11,913

Rosetta-Dents Br

Fair

Over: Trib. to Sinking Creek

2.1 mi sw of jct KY 333, Breckinridge, KY

Built 1940 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 41

WN-9007

Fair

Over: POPLAR LOG BRIDGE RD

1.5 MI NOR. OF OHIO CL, Daviess, KY

Built 1971 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 10,985

KY 144

Fair

Over: CSX RAILROAD

.157 MI. West US 60, Daviess, KY

Built 2011 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 6,722

BURNS RD

Fair

Over: WOLF BRANCH

.5 MI E OF JCT CR 5305, Daviess, KY

Built 1988 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 187

LAKETOWN RD

Fair

Over: TRIB TO HORSEMAN DITCH

1 MI E KY 811 IN 051, Daviess, KY

Built 2005 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 52

US 31W (DIXIE HWY)

Fair

Over: SALT RIVER

AT HARDIN CL, Jefferson, KY

Built 1943 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 21,821

KY-59

Fair

Over: KINNICONICK CREEK

.05 MI SE OF JCT KY 2524, Lewis, KY

Built 1974 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 390

MOCCASIN RD

Fair

Over: LITTLE MOCCASIN CREEK

1.1 MI SE OF JCT KY 698, Lincoln, KY

Built 1976 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 123

KY-2377

Fair

Over: MUDDY CREEK

1 MI W OF JCT KY 79, Logan, KY

Built 1940 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 208

EAST 2ND STREET

Fair

Over: OVER LIMESTONE CREEK

500 FT E. JCT. OF 3RD.ST., Mason, KY

Built 1999 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 2,280

US-62

Fair

Over: BR CYPRESS CREEK

1.95 MI SW JCT KY 431, Muhlenberg, KY

Built 1984 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 13,746

CR 1489

Fair

Over: Thompson Creek

.15 mi. E Jct Ky 175, Muhlenberg, KY

Built 2011 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 55

THOMPSON RD

Fair

Over: LEVISA FORK

200 WEST-US23@ LYKINS CR, Pike, KY

Built 1981 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 6,518

KY 2885

Fair

Over: SIMPSON CREEK

2.6 MI N OF KY 652, Spencer, KY

Built 2017 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 197

ROUTE 3

Fair

Over: SPILLWAY LAKE VEGA

LAKE VEGA DAM, Madison, KY

Built 1977 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 30

ROUTE 9

Fair

Over: MUDDY CREEK

BTW ROUTE 3 & ROUTE 113, Madison, KY

Built 1977 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 30

COSBY CUNDIFF RD

Fair

Over: CEDAR CREEK

0.108 MI. S. OF KY 92, Adair, KY

Built 2010 Load: 48.1 t ADT: 10

KY-1011

Fair

Over: MCCARTY CREEK

.8 MI W OF JCT KY 1159, Bracken, KY

Built 1976 Load: 48.1 t ADT: 156

Showing 7,551-7,600 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.