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

BRYANT RIDGE RD

Poor

Over: WOOSLEY CREEK

1.2 MI W JCT KY 908, Butler, KY

Built 1990 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 338

ROCHESTER/GREEN RI

Poor

Over: PANTHER CREEK

0.7 MI NORTH JCT KY 369, Butler, KY

Built 1974 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 12

KY-36

Poor

Over: LICK CREEK

.40 MI WEST OF JCT KY 47, Carroll, KY

Built 1933 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 392

SMOKY CREEK RD

Poor

Over: OVER SMOKEY CREEK

.820 MI N OF JCT. KY 2, Carter, KY

Built 1997 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 44

ALLIS CHALMERS DR.

Poor

Over: TYGARTS CREEK

836 E. of Jct KY 1025, Carter, KY

Built 2000 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 20

PENNYRILE FOREST S

Poor

Over: CLIFTY CREEK

0.14 MI.W. JCT KY 398, Christian, KY

Built 1945 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 35

WILLIE WEBB ROAD

Poor

Over: BEAVERDAM CREEK

.02 MI W JCT KY 259, Edmonson, KY

Built 1990 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 43

V Sanders Road

Poor

Over: Beaverdam Creek

0.1 M S of JCT KY-743, Edmonson, KY

Built 1970 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 10

WALKER MOORE RD

Poor

Over: MIDDLE FORK

315 FT NW OF JCT. KY 719, Elliott, KY

Built 2001 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 39

Kayden LN CR 1165

Poor

Over: Little FK Little Sandy

200 West of Ky 486, Elliott, KY

Built 1980 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 20

Marthas Vineyard

Poor

Over: Bull Creek

0.02 MI W of JCT KY 302, Floyd, KY

Built 1985 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 230

KY-408

Poor

Over: GOOSE CREEK

.10 MI WEST OF JCT KY 339, Graves, KY

Built 1964 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 353

KY-1485

Poor

Over: TERRAPIN CREEK

.80 MI S.W. OF JCT KY 97, Graves, KY

Built 1958 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 195

KY-1820

Poor

Over: BRANCH OF MAYFEILD CREEK

.20 MI EAST OF JCT KY 339, Graves, KY

Built 1967 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 628

SHAW ROAD

Poor

Over: BR OFF MAYFIELD CREEK

.5 MI W OF JCT CR 5464, Graves, KY

Built 1970 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 123

KY-840

Poor

Over: WATTS CREEK

.75 MI NE OF W-JCT US 119, Harlan, KY

Built 1969 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 107

STRETCHNECK HOLLOW

Poor

Over: YOCUM CREEK

.05 MI S OF JCT KY 215, Harlan, KY

Built 1970 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 100

CR-1220

Poor

Over: PUCKETT CREEK

S @JCT KY 72 @INSULL, Harlan, KY

Built 1936 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 50

PRICE LN

Poor

Over: CLOVER FK CUMBERLAND RVR

SW @JCT KY 38 @LOUELLEN, Harlan, KY

Built 1965 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 90

CR1048 WAYNE BARGO

Poor

Over: GREASY CREEK

W @ JCT KY 221, Harlan, KY

Built 1975 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 10

ROCKY LN

Poor

Over: CATRON CREEK

W @JCT KY 72 S OF BARDO, Harlan, KY

Built 1940 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 30

ASHLEY LN CR-1053

Poor

Over: GREASY

0.1 MI. E. KY 221, Harlan, KY

Built 1982 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 99

COOPER ROAD

Poor

Over: STRAIGHT CREEK

0.1 MI. S.-JCT KY. 221, Harlan, KY

Built 1981 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 50

JUNE LANE

Poor

Over: MARTINS FK-CUMBERLAND R.

987 NEAR 9M/P, Harlan, KY

Built 1960 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 50

CR NEAR KY-2425

Poor

Over: LITTLE CREEK

.2 MI S JCT KY 2425, Harlan, KY

Built 1990 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 100

NEBO RD

Poor

Over: CSX RAILWAY

.5 MI-SE.JCT KY 1054, Harrison, KY

Built 1994 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 17

RIVER RD

Poor

Over: GOOSE CREEK

0.15 MI E OF LIME KILN LN, Jefferson, KY

Built 1935 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 6,325

ERNEST BRIDGE DR

Poor

Over: CSX RAILROAD

.75 E KY 177, Kenton, KY

Built 1920 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 21

Big Doubles Br

Poor

Over: Little Carr Fork

0.05 MI S of KY 1410@Bath, Knott, KY

Built 1940 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 129

John Hall Rd

Poor

Over: Right Frk Beaver Crk

0.01 MI SW of JCT KY 7, Knott, KY

Built 1980 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 60

Fieldwood Dr

Poor

Over: R Frk Troublesome Crk

0.03 MI S of JCT KY 160, Knott, KY

Built 1975 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 60

POWDER MILL RD

Poor

Over: POWDER MILL CREEK

.5 MI. E - KY 1535, Laurel, KY

Built 1970 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 367

KY-1760

Poor

Over: Right Fork Blaine Creek

0.45 MI SW of JCT KY 32, Lawrence, KY

Built 1972 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 346

GOOSE CREEK RD

Poor

Over: CSX RAILROAD

50 N. JCT. KY 52, Lee, KY

Built 1940 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 64

CR 1151 RED SAM RD

Poor

Over: GREASY CREEK

100 FT S OF KY2009, Leslie, KY

Built 1980 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 91

KY-7

Poor

Over: CSX RR & N Frk KY River

2.6 MI NE of Perry Co, Letcher, KY

Built 1940 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 807

E Potter Rd

Poor

Over: Wright Fork

0.03 MI E of KY 317 @Neon, Letcher, KY

Built 1950 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 125

WIBORG LOOP RD

Poor

Over: NS (CNO&TP) SYSTEM

0.1 MI W OF US 27, McCreary, KY

Built 1958 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 189

Cheek Cem. Rd.

Poor

Over: Mash Fork

0.1 M S KY 2020 MP 0.46, Magoffin, KY

Built 1982 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 30

Marcumtown Rd

Poor

Over: Rockcastle Creek

At JCT of KY 3 & KY 292, Martin, KY

Built 1989 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 164

Johnson Bottom

Poor

Over: Rockcastle Creek

0.03 MI W of JCT KY-3, Martin, KY

Built 1979 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 310

KY-678

Poor

Over: PETER CREEK

.15 M W JCT CR 1335, Monroe, KY

Built 1967 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 163

KY-505

Poor

Over: BR-INDIAN CAMP CREEK

1.96 MI.E. JCT. US 231, Ohio, KY

Built 1982 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 574

SHREVE RD

Poor

Over: ROCKY FORK

1.4 MI SW OF JCT KY 54, Ohio, KY

Built 1986 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 130

QUARTERHORSE LN

Poor

Over: N FK PANTHER CREEK

.2 MI- S JCT CR 1058, Ohio, KY

Built 1929 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 5

KY-1469

Poor

Over: Right Fork Long Fork

1.3 MI SW of JCT KY 3414, Pike, KY

Built 1979 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 390

North River Rd Con

Poor

Over: Levisa Fork

E @ JCT US 460/KY 1499, Pike, KY

Built 1975 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 500

Elwood Rd

Poor

Over: Shelby Creek

100 E of JCT KY 610, Pike, KY

Built 1970 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 246

Drift Br

Poor

Over: Johns Creek

0.1 MI SW of JCT KY 194, Pike, KY

Built 1965 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 79

BANDY WILLAILLA RD

Poor

Over: BEE LICK CREEK

1.55 MI EAST OF KY 70, Pulaski, KY

Built 1943 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 98

Showing 13,551-13,600 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.