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

KY-3275

Good

Over: I-75

0.7 MI NW OF JCT US 25, Rockcastle, KY

Built 2017 Load: 30.8 t ADT: 427

ANDERSON RD

Good

Over: BR-LANES RUN

.35 MI N JCT KY 620, Scott, KY

Built 1991 Load: 30.8 t ADT: 574

WEDGEWOOD DR

Good

Over: PITMAN CREEK

75 W OF JCT KY 527, Taylor, KY

Built 2003 Load: 30.8 t ADT: 128

Tebbs Bend Rd.

Good

Over: Green River

0.75 Miles SW of KY 55, Taylor, KY

Built 2016 Load: 30.8 t ADT: 64

KY-2491

Good

Over: STILLWATER CREEK

.05 MI. SW KY 1812, Wolfe, KY

Built 1978 Load: 30.8 t ADT: 118

KY-182

Good

Over: GRAHN FORK-LITTLE SINKIN

2.4 MI. SE JCT US 60, Carter, KY

Built 1994 Load: 30.9 t ADT: 863

KY-259

Good

Over: WESTERN KENTUCKY PARKWAY

OVER WEST KY PKWY NTRCH, Grayson, KY

Built 2004 Load: 30.9 t ADT: 12,247

CR 1432

Good

Over: BIG WHITE OAK CREEK

1.7 MI-W. JCT KY 2070, Greenup, KY

Built 2009 Load: 31.0 t ADT: 10

L BROWN RD

Good

Over: MIDDLE FK-JENNYS CREEK

.1 MI - JCT US 23, Johnson, KY

Built 1994 Load: 31.0 t ADT: 122

I-65 NORTH BOUND

Good

Over: KY 255

1.3 MI NE-EDMONSON CL, Barren, KY

Built 2012 Load: 31.1 t ADT: 23,388

KY 1483_

Good

Over: BR.E.FK CLARKS RIVER_

300SW OF JCT. CR 5004_, Calloway, KY

Built 2017 Load: 31.1 t ADT: 293

OLD CLARKSVILLE PI

Good

Over: SPRING BRANCH

.2 MI- E.JCT KY 107, Christian, KY

Built 1996 Load: 31.1 t ADT: 40

WAYNE BRIDGE RD

Good

Over: FLAT LICK CREEK

.1 MI N JCT CR 5253, Daviess, KY

Built 1997 Load: 31.1 t ADT: 203

KY-2181

Good

Over: BLACKFORD CREEK

7.5 MI S US 60, Hancock, KY

Built 1990 Load: 31.1 t ADT: 136

KY 391

Good

Over: OTTER CREEK

1 mile NE of KY 1600, Hardin, KY

Built 2015 Load: 31.1 t ADT: 986

US-62

Good

Over: POND RIVER

3.2 MI.East JCT KY 813, Hopkins, KY

Built 1999 Load: 31.1 t ADT: 1,028

KY 39

Good

Over: Hickman Crk @ Black Bird

1 M N of JCT KY 1268, Jessamine, KY

Built 2021 Load: 31.1 t ADT: 1,048

US-119

Good

Over: Poor Frk of Cumberland

0.5 MI NE of JCT KY 2564, Letcher, KY

Built 2017 Load: 31.1 t ADT: 1,459

KY 1747

Good

Over: KY 146 & CSX RAILROAD

0.4 MI N OF DORSEY LANE, Jefferson, KY

Built 1994 Load: 31.2 t ADT: 22,274

BURRESS HOLLOW RD

Good

Over: STONER CREEK

.2 MI.S. JCT KY 1798, Taylor, KY

Built 1995 Load: 31.2 t ADT: 102

VALLEY HILL RD

Good

Over: BRANCH OF CARTWRIGHT CK

1.5 MI NW JCT KY 55, Washington, KY

Built 2022 Load: 31.2 t ADT: 242

PITTS RD

Good

Over: ROGERS FORK-COW CREEK

2.0 MI N. JCT KY 52, Estill, KY

Built 1997 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 70

Indian Creek Road

Good

Over: East Fork Indian Creek

0.2 M N of KY 613 MP 8.9, Menifee, KY

Built 2009 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 66

DUVALL STATION RD

Good

Over: BR OF MCCONNELL RUN

2 MI E OF KY 227, Scott, KY

Built 1973 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 291

CR 1055

Good

Over: Wiles Branch

0.26 M N of JCT KY 1482, Clay, KY

Built 2021 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 70

Ky 594

Good

Over: Henderson Branch

4.0 Mi S Ky 3328 Int, Estill, KY

Built 2015 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 419

HILLSBORO BR RD

Good

Over: HILLSBORO CREEK

.6 MI W JCT KY 111, Fleming, KY

Built 1994 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 1

Combs Bridge Road

Good

Over: Left Fk of Beaver Creek

0.01 M E of JCT KY-122, Floyd, KY

Built 2022 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 30

KY-131

Good

Over: SPRING CREEK

SPRING CK OVERFLOW, Graves, KY

Built 1982 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 2,249

US-27

Good

Over: CSX RAILROAD

.5 MI N of JCT US-62, Harrison, KY

Built 2009 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 2,986

TURKEY FOOT-Bridge

Good

Over: WAR FORK

NATIONAL FOREST, Jackson, KY

Built 1950 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 100

KY 313

Good

Over: Otter Creek

0.2 Mi S of Jct KY 1882, Meade, KY

Built 2011 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 10,327

KY-1275

Good

Over: ELK SPRINGS CREEK

1.3 MI E. OF KY 3106, Wayne, KY

Built 2004 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 708

KY-645

Good

Over: Middle Fork

1000 EAST OF JCT KY 3, Martin, KY

Built 2004 Load: 31.5 t ADT: 4,537

POTTERSHOP RD

Good

Over: BEAR CREEK

3.7 MI SE JCT US 150, Nelson, KY

Built 1997 Load: 31.5 t ADT: 148

Lower Judio Road

Good

Over: Judio Creek

0.42 Miles SE of KY-953, Cumberland, KY

Built 2015 Load: 31.6 t ADT: 20

OWENSBORO BYP

Good

Over: KY298

EBL .35 MI E-US 231 NTRCH, Daviess, KY

Built 1971 Load: 31.6 t ADT: 16,293

Higgs Rd.

Good

Over: ALDER CREEK

1.MI. SE JCT US 62, Grayson, KY

Built 1990 Load: 31.6 t ADT: 53

KY-6019

Good

Over: I 24

2 MI E OF JCT KY 93, Lyon, KY

Built 1977 Load: 31.6 t ADT: 110

KY-438

Good

Over: LINCOLN RUN

.1 MI. SW JCT KY 528, Washington, KY

Built 1995 Load: 31.6 t ADT: 318

KY-357

Good

Over: SOUTH FORK OF BACON CREE

.40 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 728, Hart, KY

Built 1950 Load: 31.7 t ADT: 577

US-119 SB

Good

Over: KY1441/Raccoon Crk

1.3 MI NE of KY 1426 INTC, Pike, KY

Built 2006 Load: 31.7 t ADT: 3,091

KY-70

Good

Over: DUTTONS CREEK

1.5 MI NE JCT KY 1798, Taylor, KY

Built 2003 Load: 31.7 t ADT: 1,632

KY-2422

Good

Over: UNNAME STREAM

.10 MI EAST OF WTR VLY CL, Graves, KY

Built 1964 Load: 31.8 t ADT: 285

KY-2422

Good

Over: SOUTH FORK BAYOU DE CHIE

.50 MI EAST OF WTR VLY CL, Graves, KY

Built 1964 Load: 31.8 t ADT: 285

BLOYDS BLUFF RD

Good

Over: BRUSH CREEK

.25 MI.W. JCT. KY 424, Green, KY

Built 1995 Load: 31.8 t ADT: 110

KY-7

Good

Over: SHULTZ CREEK

3.6 MI. S. JCT. KY 784, Greenup, KY

Built 2001 Load: 31.8 t ADT: 706

Ramp M

Good

Over: I-69

1 mi N of JCT US 41, Hopkins, KY

Built 2014 Load: 31.8 t ADT: 20,471

MULLINS HOLLOW RD

Good

Over: STATION CAMP CREEK

1.0 MI N. JCT KY 2004, Jackson, KY

Built 1995 Load: 31.8 t ADT: 150

Little Doty Branch

Good

Over: RT Fork of Beaver Creek

0.1 M East of JCT KY-7, Knott, KY

Built 2023 Load: 31.8 t ADT: 103

Showing 9,951-10,000 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.