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-945

Poor

Over: GILBERT CREEK

.90 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 440, Graves, KY

Built 1952 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 119

BEECH GROVE ROAD

Poor

Over: MAYFIELD CREEK

.7 MI N OF KY. 1841, Graves, KY

Built 1970 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 180

ALDERDICE ROAD

Poor

Over: TERRAPIN CREEK

.35 MI W OF JCT KY 97, Graves, KY

Built 1978 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 19

FOLKS SCHOOL ROAD

Poor

Over: CANE CREEK

1.0 WEST OF KY. 58, Graves, KY

Built 1974 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 37

BOYD ROAD

Poor

Over: BR OFF BRUSH CREEK

1.5 M. S. OF JCT. KY. 339, Graves, KY

Built 1969 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 50

POYNERS CHAPEL ROA

Poor

Over: BR OF LITTLE CYPRESS CRK

.75 MI W OF JCT KY 303, Graves, KY

Built 1968 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 77

LOWERY ROAD

Poor

Over: S FK BAYOU DU CHIEN

.3 M. NORTH OF KY. 129, Graves, KY

Built 1975 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 10

KY-72

Poor

Over: CLOVER FK CUMBERLAND RVR

.10 MI S.W. OF JCT KY 421, Harlan, KY

Built 1925 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 1,130

KY-502

Poor

Over: CLEAR CREEK OVERFLOW

2.9 MI S OF JCT KY 1034, Hopkins, KY

Built 1959 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 307

KY-502

Poor

Over: CLEAR CREEK OVERFLOW

3.0 MI S OF JCT KY 1034, Hopkins, KY

Built 1959 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 307

KY-502

Poor

Over: CLEAR CREEK OVERFLOW

3.1 MI S OF JCT KY 1034, Hopkins, KY

Built 1959 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 307

POPLAR ST

Poor

Over: P&L RAILWAY

200 FT N. MEADOW HILL RD., Hopkins, KY

Built 1982 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 442

ACCESS RD/OLD 1819

Poor

Over: CHENOWETH RUN

250 FT NE OF GRAND AVE, Jefferson, KY

Built 1925 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 6,705

DRAKE LANE

Poor

Over: NS (CNO&TP) SYSTEM

.75 MI S OF JCT KY 29, Jessamine, KY

Built 1960 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 76

ALEXANDER RD

Poor

Over: CSX RAILROAD

1.4 MI N OF JCT KY 177, Kenton, KY

Built 1950 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 12

WEST 15TH STREET

Poor

Over: CSX RAILROAD

EAST OF RUSSEL ST.ON 15TH, Kenton, KY

Built 1950 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 3,000

Old Garner Rd Conn

Poor

Over: Left Frk Troublesome Crk

At Owens Branch Rd, Knott, KY

Built 1928 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 50

SLONE BR

Poor

Over: CANEY FORK CREEK

SLONE BRANCH, Knott, KY

Built 2001 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 819

CR-1532

Poor

Over: STINKING CREEK

0.02 MI E OF KY 718, Knox, KY

Built 1982 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 74

KY 581

Poor

Over: Georges Creek

0.2 MI EAST of JCT US 23, Lawrence, KY

Built 1924 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 140

RedWiliamNapierRd

Poor

Over: Cutshin Creek

0.1 m South of KY3425, Leslie, KY

Built 1975 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 110

BLAIR BR

Poor

Over: ROCKHOUSE CREEK

SE @JCT KY 7, Letcher, KY

Built 1974 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 667

KY-1983

Poor

Over: CSX RAILROAD

2.5 MI.N. OF JCT KY 595, Madison, KY

Built 1989 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 376

KY-289

Poor

Over: ROLLING FORK

1 MI N OF JCT KY 412, Marion, KY

Built 1923 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 1,105

KY-2603

Poor

Over: SOLDIER CREEK

1 MI N OF JCT KY 58 & 80, Marshall, KY

Built 1969 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 361

KY-3113

Poor

Over: LEE CREEK

.10 MI SOU. OF JCT KY 8, Mason, KY

Built 1835 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 9

OLD US 68 CONNECTO

Poor

Over: LICKING RIVER

.5 MI W OF JCT NEW US 68, Nicholas, KY

Built 1917 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 215

FIRST CRK LN CONNE

Poor

Over: FIRST CREEK

50 WEST OF KY 267, Perry, KY

Built 1935 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 188

Elm Branch

Poor

Over: Right Fork Peter Creek

@JCT KY 632, Pike, KY

Built 1970 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 368

Gibson Bottom CR

Poor

Over: Elkhorn Creek

3M S. Jct Ky80 & Ky19, Pike, KY

Built 2014 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 50

MARET CEMETERY RD

Poor

Over: ROUND STONE CREEK

.3 MI S. JCT KY 1786, Rockcastle, KY

Built 1998 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 57

FREESTONE RD

Poor

Over: TRIPLETT CREEK

300E.-US 60@ BLUESTONE, Rowan, KY

Built 1921 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 90

GALLOWAY RD

Poor

Over: NORTH ELKHORN CREEK

1.1 MI S OF JCT KY 227, Scott, KY

Built 1910 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 225

BRIDGE ST

Poor

Over: NS (CNO&TP) SYSTEM

250 FT E OF MARTIN KING, Scott, KY

Built 1930 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 200

JAIL HILL RD

Poor

Over: CLEAR CREEK

0.1 MI N OF US 60 WB, Shelby, KY

Built 1982 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 145

Armory Hill

Poor

Over: Road Run Creek

_, Washington, KY

Built 1955 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 1,410

Lizzie Sharp Road

Poor

Over: Langham Branch

3.3 Miles W of JCT KY 167, Wayne, KY

Built 1972 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 20

KY-143

Poor

Over: CRAB ORCHARD CREEK

.40 MI N.W. OF JCT KY 132, Webster, KY

Built 1937 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 84

Veterans Walk of H

Poor

Over: Tradewater River

0.2 MI S JCT KY2089, Webster, KY

Built 1914 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 22

WATTS CREEK ROAD

Poor

Over: WATTS CREEK

.1 MI NW OF JCT US 25W, Whitley, KY

Built 1935 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 250

HOWARD PERKINS ROA

Poor

Over: LYNN CAMP CREEK

.2 MI E OF JCT KY 6, Whitley, KY

Built 1936 Load: 0.1 t ADT: 50

WHITAKER FRK RD

Poor

Over: BIG CREEK

.1 MI S KY 1096, Perry, KY

Built 1992 Load: 1.7 t ADT: 218

JEFFERSON SCHOOL R

Poor

Over: DIFFICULT CREEK

0.7 MI E OF JCT KY 101, Allen, KY

Built 1979 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 128

OLD BUCK CREEK RD

Poor

Over: BUCK CREEK

3.7 MI E OF JCT KY 100, Allen, KY

Built 1974 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 231

KY-395

Poor

Over: BRANCH OF INDIAN CREEK

.50 MI N OF JCT KY 44, Anderson, KY

Built 1950 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 428

PACE LANE

Poor

Over: BR OF HUMPHREY CREEK

0.6 MI N. US 60, Ballard, KY

Built 1990 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 40

MEDLOCK ROAD

Poor

Over: NO. ROLLING FORK

50 S OF JCT KY 37, Boyle, KY

Built 1988 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 27

Rt Fk Jetts creek

Poor

Over: Jetts Creek

0.1 mile W Ky 1202, Breathitt, KY

Built 2000 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 50

Chester Haynes Rd.

Poor

Over: BR OFF SINKING CREEK

.3 MI N OF JCT CR 5074, Breckinridge, KY

Built 1920 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 30

MT CARMEL CHRCH RD

Poor

Over: TRIB TO WILSON CREEK

2.4 MI E OF KY 733, Bullitt, KY

Built 2002 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 50

Showing 13,501-13,550 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.