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-718

Fair

Over: LAUREL BRANCH

4.5 MI E OF E-JCT KY 223, Knox, KY

Built 1952 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 340

KY-1304

Fair

Over: BIG RICHLAND CREEK

.20 MI W OF JCT KY 1803, Knox, KY

Built 1957 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 677

KY-2406

Fair

Over: ROAD FORK CREEK

.05 MI N.W. OF JCT KY 223, Knox, KY

Built 1956 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 121

KY-459

Fair

Over: RICHLAND CREEK

@ SW CITY LIMITS-BARBVLLE, Knox, KY

Built 1987 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 1,785

KY-583

Fair

Over: MURPHY CREEK

.65 MI WEST OF JCT KY 52, Larue, KY

Built 1949 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 891

KY-1189

Fair

Over: BLACKWATER CREEK

.10 MI W OF JCT KY 1803, Laurel, KY

Built 1953 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 261

KY-687

Fair

Over: S.FK.ROCKCASTLE RVR

ON CLAY - LAUREL CL, Laurel, KY

Built 1955 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 182

KY-1023

Fair

Over: LITTLE ROBINSON CREEK

1.0 MI SOU. OF JCT KY 229, Laurel, KY

Built 1934 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 278

KY-1394

Fair

Over: HAZEL PATCH CREEK

.85 MI NE OF JCT KY 490, Laurel, KY

Built 1953 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 362

KY-638

Fair

Over: MOORES CREEK

1.8 MI NOR. OF JCT DB PW, Laurel, KY

Built 1950 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 2,682

KY-1561

Fair

Over: LICK CREEK

.25 MI SOU. OF JCT KY 80, Laurel, KY

Built 1955 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 500

KY-1690

Fair

Over: BURGESS FK-GRIFFITH CRK

2.0 MI S OF JCT KY 2037, Lawrence, KY

Built 1958 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 240

KY-851

Fair

Over: ROSS CREEK

.75 MI EAST OF ESTILL CL, Lee, KY

Built 1951 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 191

KY-406

Fair

Over: BOWEN CREEK

4.0 MI N.E. OF JCT KY 66, Leslie, KY

Built 1959 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 428

KY-1807

Fair

Over: WOOTON CREEK

2.5 MI EAST OF JCT KY 80, Leslie, KY

Built 1960 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 327

KY-931

Fair

Over: Cowan Creek

.5 MI S of JCT KY 2035, Letcher, KY

Built 1980 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 1,542

KY-931

Fair

Over: Cowan Creek

2.3 MI SW of JCT KY 2035, Letcher, KY

Built 1980 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 1,135

KY-344

Fair

Over: LONG BRANCH

2.0 MI WEST OF JCT KY 377, Lewis, KY

Built 1949 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 287

KY-344

Fair

Over: ELK LICK BRANCH

2.6 MI WEST OF JCT KY 377, Lewis, KY

Built 1949 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 287

KY-344

Fair

Over: PAINT LICK BRANCH

1.5 MI N.E. OF JCT KY 559, Lewis, KY

Built 1950 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 287

KY-344

Fair

Over: ROCK CAMP CREEK

.40 MI N.E. OF JCT KY 559, Lewis, KY

Built 1949 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 287

KY-474

Fair

Over: SCOTT BRANCH

1.9 MI S.E. OF JCT KY 59, Lewis, KY

Built 1950 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 36

KY-1149

Fair

Over: TRACE CREEK

2.9 MI NOR. OF CARTER CL, Lewis, KY

Built 1955 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 225

KY-1149

Fair

Over: TRACE CREEK

2.2 MI NOR. OF CARTER CL, Lewis, KY

Built 1955 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 225

KY-78

Fair

Over: BARNETTS BRANCH

.65 MI EAST OF JCT US 127, Lincoln, KY

Built 1931 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 1,360

KY-643

Fair

Over: CEDAR CREEK

1.9 MI SOU. OF JCT KY 177, Lincoln, KY

Built 1950 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 1,217

KY-70

Fair

Over: CYPRESS CREEK

1.2 MI EAST OF JCT KY 723, Livingston, KY

Built 1953 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 111

KY-917

Fair

Over: ROSS CREEK

1.3 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 93, Livingston, KY

Built 1952 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 87

KY-178

Fair

Over: EDGER CREEK

1.3 MI N OF JCT US 68, Logan, KY

Built 1934 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 2,323

KY-3520

Fair

Over: MASSAC CREEK OVERFLOW

.49 MI EAST OF JCT KY 996, McCracken, KY

Built 1929 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 787

KY-3520

Fair

Over: MASSAC CREEK OVERFLOW

.43 MI EAST OF JCT KY 996, McCracken, KY

Built 1929 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 787

KY-3520

Fair

Over: MASSAC CREEK OVERFLOW

.21 MI EAST OF JCT KY 996, McCracken, KY

Built 1929 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 787

KY-256

Fair

Over: LONG FALLS CREEK

.40 MI WEST OF JCT KY 81, McLean, KY

Built 1955 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 232

KY-1080

Fair

Over: BR OFF BUCK CREEK

.50 MI WEST OF JCT US 431, McLean, KY

Built 1952 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 236

KY-594

Fair

Over: COPPERAS CREEK

.40 MI S.W. OF ESTILL CL, Madison, KY

Built 1949 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 620

KY-1986

Fair

Over: CLEAR CREEK

9.5 MI N OF JCT KY 388, Madison, KY

Built 1971 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 223

KY-1617

Fair

Over: E.FK.SILVER CREEK

200 S OF JCT KY 21, Madison, KY

Built 1957 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 576

SOUTH MAIN STREET

Fair

Over: BRUSHY FORK CREEK

.2MI S-PROSPECT ST-KY 21, Madison, KY

Built 1954 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 3,410

KY-337

Fair

Over: CABIN BRANCH

.8 MI S OF W-JCT KY 49, Marion, KY

Built 1934 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 322

KY-208

Fair

Over: CLOYDS CREEK

3 MI S OF JCT KY 1157, Marion, KY

Built 1956 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 514

KY-289

Fair

Over: STATE CREEK

BETWEEN JCTS-KY 412, Marion, KY

Built 1927 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 1,105

KY-1195

Fair

Over: BR OF CARTWRIGHT CREEK

1.6 MI NOR. OF JCT US 68, Marion, KY

Built 1952 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 467

KY-1311

Fair

Over: UNNAMED STREAM

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

Built 1952 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 338

KY-1311

Fair

Over: UNNAMED STREAM

.30 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 194, Marshall, KY

Built 1952 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 566

KY-3170

Fair

Over: MARSHALL BRANCH

.05 MI W OF JCT NEW KY 11, Mason, KY

Built 1957 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 292

KY-3342

Fair

Over: BOTTS FORK

.2 MI NE OF JCT KY 1240, Menifee, KY

Built 1955 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 62

KY-1987

Fair

Over: LEADBALL BRANCH

150FT WEST OF JCT US 127, Mercer, KY

Built 1974 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 528

ROY GRIDER RD

Fair

Over: CLAY LICK CREEK

0.8MI WEST OF JCT KY 163, Metcalfe, KY

Built 1976 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 118

KY-1050

Fair

Over: COOKS BRANCH

4.3 MI S OF JCT US 460, Montgomery, KY

Built 1952 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 69

KY 713

Fair

Over: SALT WELL BRANCH

.4 MI EAST OF JCT KY 965, Montgomery, KY

Built 1953 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 429

Showing 1,101-1,150 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.