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

OLD KENTUCKY 84 RD

Fair

Over: NOLIN RIVER

0.2 MI E OF JCT KY 84, Hardin, KY

Built 1918 Load: 6.4 t ADT: 229

Horseshoe Bend Ln.

Fair

Over: Lost Creek

450 ft. W of KY 2446, Perry, KY

Built 1989 Load: 6.4 t ADT: 20

SOUTH TOLLIVER RD

Fair

Over: TRIPLETT CREEK

.15 MI S/E OF KY 60, Rowan, KY

Built 2003 Load: 6.5 t ADT: 40

KY-399

Fair

Over: KENTUCKY RVR @HEIDELBERG

OVR KY RVR AT HEIDELBERG, Lee, KY

Built 1968 Load: 6.7 t ADT: 198

C R JONES RD

Fair

Over: CANEY FORK CREEK

0.192 MI. SW. KY 633, Adair, KY

Built 2003 Load: 6.8 t ADT: 76

OLD MILL CEMETARY

Fair

Over: BIG NO CREEK

.3 MI. N. -JCT. KY 136, Ohio, KY

Built 1983 Load: 6.9 t ADT: 43

CR-1041

Fair

Over: BIG LAUREL BRANCH

0.1 MI.S.OF KY 221, Harlan, KY

Built 1984 Load: 7.2 t ADT: 50

ISON LN

Fair

Over: NS (CNO&TP) SYSTEM

.1 MI W OF JCT KY 342, Mercer, KY

Built 1940 Load: 7.2 t ADT: 84

WATKINS RD

Fair

Over: BRANCH OF CYPRESS CREEK

0.8 MI. W. JCT KY 270, Union, KY

Built 1960 Load: 7.2 t ADT: 30

Hatcher Road

Fair

Over: KNOB LICK CREEK

.8 MI-S JCT KY 300, Lincoln, KY

Built 1993 Load: 7.3 t ADT: 54

GRUBBS RD

Fair

Over: BLOOD RIVER

.35 MI W OF JCT CR 5164, Calloway, KY

Built 1987 Load: 7.6 t ADT: 13

NEWMAN CAMPBELL RO

Fair

Over: PLEASANT RUN CREEK

.1 MI N OF JCT KY 92, Whitley, KY

Built 1940 Load: 7.7 t ADT: 116

KY 676 (E-W CONN)

Fair

Over: KENTUCKY RIVER & KY 1263

500 FT E OF KY 420, Franklin, KY

Built 1979 Load: 7.8 t ADT: 17,909

CAVE SPGS RD

Fair

Over: NS (CNO&TP) SYSTEM

0.1 MILE WEST OF KY 751, Pulaski, KY

Built 1962 Load: 7.8 t ADT: 49

CR-1224

Fair

Over: ELK CREEK

50' SE OF US 421, Clay, KY

Built 1940 Load: 8.0 t ADT: 52

RIGHT FORK BUFFALO

Fair

Over: RIGHT FORK BUFFALO CREEK

5 MI. S. KY.2024 TERMINI, Owsley, KY

Built 2005 Load: 8.0 t ADT: 41

ROWLAND RD

Fair

Over: BR.E.FK.-CLARKS RIVER

.4 MI SE OF JCT KY 1483, Calloway, KY

Built 1979 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 21

FISH HATCHERY TRAI

Fair

Over: BROWN CREEK

.1 MI W OF JCT KY 26, Whitley, KY

Built 1970 Load: 8.2 t ADT: 14

MELSON RIDGE RD.

Fair

Over: CROCUS CREEK

270 SE. OF JCT KY 704, Adair, KY

Built 2002 Load: 8.3 t ADT: 46

CR-1096

Fair

Over: REDBIRD CREEK

50 W OF JCT KY 66, Bell, KY

Built 1987 Load: 8.3 t ADT: 10

MT. CARMEL RD

Fair

Over: N. FORK OF DUNCAN CREEK

.5 MI E. OF KY 299, Calloway, KY

Built 1979 Load: 8.3 t ADT: 59

I-75

Fair

Over: OHIO RIVER

BRENT SPENCE BR OVER OHIO, Kenton, KY

Built 1963 Load: 8.3 t ADT: 132,112

OLD RICHARDSVILLE

Fair

Over: BARREN RIVER

0.2 MI W OF JCT KY 185, Warren, KY

Built 1920 Load: 8.3 t ADT: 79

KY-2328

Fair

Over: KENTUCKY RVR NR CLAYS FR

@MADISON CO.LN., Fayette, KY

Built 1871 Load: 8.4 t ADT: 1,699

KY-804

Fair

Over: NS (CNO&TP) SYSTEM

0.9 MILE NW OF US 27, Pulaski, KY

Built 1962 Load: 8.4 t ADT: 625

_CR-1275

Fair

Over: _MIDDLE FORK

_KY-1780, Leslie, KY

Built 1985 Load: 8.5 t ADT: 50

CHARLEY MILLER RD

Fair

Over: WADES CREEK

1.3 MI E JCT KY 783, Calloway, KY

Built 1990 Load: 8.7 t ADT: 197

CLAY TREE BR RD

Fair

Over: FIRST CREEK

.01 MI E JCT KY 267, Perry, KY

Built 1988 Load: 8.7 t ADT: 289

GRANCER RD

Fair

Over: WOOSLEY CREEK

2.3 MI EAST KY 79, Butler, KY

Built 1991 Load: 8.9 t ADT: 124

Physician Dr

Fair

Over: Troublesome Creek

50 SW of JCT KY 550, Knott, KY

Built 2021 Load: 9.1 t ADT: 40

FRAMES BRANCH ROAD

Fair

Over: FRAMES BRANCH

.6 MI S. JCT KY 1057, Powell, KY

Built 1999 Load: 9.1 t ADT: 468

Spring Branch

Fair

Over: Rockhouse Creek

@ JCT KY 7 Near Jeremiah, Letcher, KY

Built 1935 Load: 9.3 t ADT: 668

MYRTLE TURNER LN

Fair

Over: BIG LAUREL BRANCH

0.1 MI. S. OF KY 221, Harlan, KY

Built 1982 Load: 9.4 t ADT: 10

I-64

Fair

Over: NS RR 27TH ST & LANNAN

0.9 MI E OF I-264, Jefferson, KY

Built 1970 Load: 9.4 t ADT: 65,180

HACKWORTH HOLLOW

Fair

Over: BIG BRANCH

30 WEST OF JCT. KY 989, Lewis, KY

Built 2008 Load: 9.4 t ADT: 107

CR-1325

Fair

Over: LEFT FORK STRAIGHT CREEK

.10 MI W OF JCT KY 66, Bell, KY

Built 1978 Load: 9.6 t ADT: 30

ERWIN RD

Fair

Over: MIDDLE FK CLARKS RIVER

0.3 M. S. OF KY. 1550, Calloway, KY

Built 1977 Load: 9.6 t ADT: 77

CR 1175

Fair

Over: BAILEY CREEK

0.1 MI NE OF ECL EVARTS, Harlan, KY

Built 1975 Load: 9.7 t ADT: 25

CR-1158

Fair

Over: RT. FORK NEWCOMBE CR

.1 MI E OF JCT KY 706, Elliott, KY

Built 1978 Load: 9.8 t ADT: 11

ARNETTS FORK ROAD

Fair

Over: ARNETTS FORK

.85 MI W OF JCT CR 5116, Clay, KY

Built 1935 Load: 9.9 t ADT: 26

LOGAN MILL RD

Fair

Over: RED RIVER

1.0 MI N OF JCT W/KY 96, Logan, KY

Built 1925 Load: 9.9 t ADT: 38

GIBBS STORE RD

Fair

Over: MIDDLE FK CLARKS RIVER

.8 MI SOU. KY 1550, Calloway, KY

Built 1984 Load: 10.0 t ADT: 424

CURT LYONS ROAD

Fair

Over: WELLS CREEK

.05 MI E OF JCT KY 650, Elliott, KY

Built 1965 Load: 10.0 t ADT: 22

BAND MILL

Fair

Over: WRIGHT FORK

.1 MI SE OF JCT KY 343, Letcher, KY

Built 1976 Load: 10.0 t ADT: 285

WHITE OAK CHURCH R

Fair

Over: WHITE OAK CREEK

.5 MI E. JCT KY 6183, Adair, KY

Built 1999 Load: 10.1 t ADT: 67

White Oak Ch. Road

Fair

Over: BIG CLIFTY CREEK

2.93 MI EA OF JCT. 6183, Adair, KY

Built 2003 Load: 10.1 t ADT: 100

JOHN ISON ROAD

Fair

Over: LICK FORK NEWCOMBE CREEK

680 SOUTH OF KY 32, Elliott, KY

Built 1970 Load: 10.1 t ADT: 20

KY-267

Fair

Over: FIRST CREEK

.70 MI S.W. OF JCT KY 15, Perry, KY

Built 1965 Load: 10.1 t ADT: 256

PARKWAY AVE

Fair

Over: PARKWAY ST OVER KY 8

PARKWAY AVE OVER KY 8, Kenton, KY

Built 1960 Load: 10.3 t ADT: 15,394

NEALS CREEK RD

Fair

Over: NEALS CREEK

.56 MI S JCT KY 698, Lincoln, KY

Built 2000 Load: 10.3 t ADT: 210

Showing 51-100 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.