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-15

Good

Over: COCKRELL FORK

0.8 MI N OF PERRY CL, Breathitt, KY

Built 1966 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 5,200

9004

Good

Over: Blue Creek

500 S. US 68B Inter., Christian, KY

Built 2007 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 10,441

US-31W

Good

Over: DRY BRANCH

NB EXIT RAMP @CHAFFEE AVE, Hardin, KY

Built 1973 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 19,027

KY 38

Good

Over: Old Clover Fork

NEAR HIGH RISE, Harlan, KY

Built 1997 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 5,425

NORTH CHURCH ST

Good

Over: FLAT RUN CREEK

0.2 MI EAST OF JCT US-27, Harrison, KY

Built 2009 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 2,288

KY-1676

Good

Over: BIG CLIFTY CREEK

.60 MI SW OF JCT KY 635, Pulaski, KY

Built 1987 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 1,201

KY 914

Good

Over: RUSH BRANCH CREEK

AT JCT OF KY 769, Pulaski, KY

Built 1997 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 11,968

KY-555

Good

Over: MAYS CREEK

.70 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 438, Washington, KY

Built 1971 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 3,956

WEAVER CEM RD

Good

Over: LITTLE WHITE OAK CREEK

120 S LITTLE WHITE OAK, Greenup, KY

Built 2019 Load: 89.9 t ADT: 70

7TH ARMORED DIV RD

Good

Over: MILL CREEK

1 KM E. OF S. BOUNDARY RD, Hardin, KY

Built 1994 Load: 90.4 t ADT: 80

I 24 NON CARDINAL

Good

Over: LITTLE CYPRESS CREEK

WBL .60 MI W. OF KY1610 O, Marshall, KY

Built 1971 Load: 91.6 t ADT: 16,358

Thomas Rd

Good

Over: Eggers Creek

1.7 Mi from Jct KY 1357, Hardin, KY

Built 2014 Load: 92.3 t ADT: 494

US-60

Good

Over: HURRICANE CREEK

1.9 MI W JCT KY 36, Bath, KY

Built 1997 Load: 92.4 t ADT: 728

CR-1021B

Good

Over: Slash Branch

325 S. Jct. Slash Br.Rd., Greenup, KY

Built 2013 Load: 92.4 t ADT: 120

Ramp B1 9004

Good

Over: Blue Creek

300 S Jct. US 68 B, Christian, KY

Built 2007 Load: 92.5 t ADT: 10,441

HERRIN LN

Good

Over: FLAT LICK CREEK

.5 MI W OF JCT KY 1003, Pulaski, KY

Built 1979 Load: 94.2 t ADT: 58

WK-9001 ramp

Good

Over: THOMPSON CREEK

430EAST OF KY 175, Muhlenberg, KY

Built 2003 Load: 94.3 t ADT: 11,363

KY-194

Good

Over: JOHNS CREEK

.3 MI EAST -US 119, Pike, KY

Built 1992 Load: 95.7 t ADT: 1,256

KY-58

Good

Over: GIBSON CREEK

.5 MI SW OF JCT KY 1311, Marshall, KY

Built 2006 Load: 95.9 t ADT: 3,291

Soft Shell Lane

Good

Over: Wiley Branch Creek

0.05 M E of JCT KY-1098, Knott, KY

Built 2022 Load: 96.9 t ADT: 120

Ky 2491

Good

Over: Swango fork

1.2 MI SW of JCT 1812, Wolfe, KY

Built 2019 Load: 96.9 t ADT: 173

KY-55X and KY-206

Good

Over: Branch of Russell Creek

JCT KY-55X and KY-206, Adair, KY

Built 2015 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 8,263

WALMART ENTRANCE

Good

Over: UNKNOWN STREAM

0.1 north of KY-842, Boone, KY

Built 2007 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 50

SPRINGFIELD BLVD

Good

Over: Unnamed stream

2.0 MI. W OF JCT 338, Boone, KY

Built 2008 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 250

US 231

Good

Over: Embrys Ditch

1.0 MILE N OF I-165 NTR, Butler, KY

Built 2014 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 7,619

KY-238

Good

Over: UNNAMED

.11 MI W OF KY 185, Edmonson, KY

Built 1998 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 51

KY-111

Good

Over: BR OF HILLSBORO CREEK

.4 MI N OF JCT KY 1515, Fleming, KY

Built 1927 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 1,165

KY 681

Good

Over: Delaney Creek

1.55 MI W of KY 32, Fleming, KY

Built 2019 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 96

KY-7

Good

Over: PLUM FORK

1.09 mi N. of jct. ky 10, Greenup, KY

Built 2010 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 706

US-31W

Good

Over: FREEMAN CREEK

200 SE OF JCT KY 1357, Hardin, KY

Built 1987 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 16,176

KY 1357

Good

Over: Trib of Rhudes Creek

2.8 Mi E of Jct Ky 1375, Hardin, KY

Built 2018 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 2,048

KY 72

Good

Over: OLD CLOVER FORK RIVERBED

0.1 M NORTH OF KY38, Harlan, KY

Built 2022 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 4,017

RICHARD KNOCK HWY

Good

Over: UNNAMED STREAM

.4 MI EAST OF US-25, Kenton, KY

Built 2019 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 100

CAMDEN RD

Good

Over: ELKHORN CREEK

EAST JENKINS, Letcher, KY

Built 2017 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 362

KY-78

Good

Over: Pevyhouse Branch

.30 Mi West of Jct KY-300, Lincoln, KY

Built 2015 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 2,789

KY 499

Good

Over: TRIBUTARY TO HAYS FORK

0.9 MILES E OF JCT US 25, Madison, KY

Built 1960 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 786

WALNUT CREEK DRIVE

Good

Over: WALNUT MEADOW BRANCH

200 FT. W. OF KY 595, Madison, KY

Built 2003 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 50

KY-49

Good

Over: POTTINGER CREEK

1.0 MI EAST OF JCT KY 527, Marion, KY

Built 1963 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 526

CENTRAL PIKE

Good

Over: THOMPSON CREEK

.4 MI NORTH OF JCT KY 390, Mercer, KY

Built 2012 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 65

KY-839

Good

Over: HENDRICK BRANCH

.49 MI N JCT KY 63, Monroe, KY

Built 2001 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 610

Leatherwood sch

Good

Over: Clover fork

50 N of Ky 699, Perry, KY

Built 2018 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 61

Manntown Road

Good

Over: Salt Lick Creek

0.61 M S of JCT KY 1730, Russell, KY

Built 2014 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 40

_KY-70

Good

Over: _STONER CREEK

_.75 MI N.W OF CASEY CL, Taylor, KY

Built 2015 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 898

MILLER VALLEY ROAD

Good

Over: UNAMED STREAM

2.6 MI. NORTH - US 68, Todd, KY

Built 1953 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 1,974

US 60

Good

Over: BR OF CASEY CREEK

1.5 MI EAST OF JCT KY 760, Union, KY

Built 2019 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 5,297

Ky 205

Good

Over: State Road fork

0.1 MI S of Mtn Pw, Wolfe, KY

Built 2018 Load: 97.2 t ADT: 1,606

I-24

Good

Over: LITTLE CYPRESS CREEK

EBL .60 MI W. OF KY1610 O, Marshall, KY

Built 1971 Load: 98.9 t ADT: 16,358

PINWHEEL RD

Good

Over: US 60

4.9 MI E. KY 144, Meade, KY

Built 1981 Load: 98.9 t ADT: 12

HARLOW HOLLOW

Good

Over: ASH BRANCH

755 W. of KY 784, Greenup, KY

Built 2013 Load: 99.4 t ADT: 5

I-64

Good

Over: ROSE RUN CREEK

.2 MI E OF US 60 NTRCH, Bath, KY

Built 1967 Load: 99.8 t ADT: 19,504

Showing 13,401-13,450 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.