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

CR-1286

Poor

Over: LITTLE GOOSE CR

URBAN CK OFF KY 687, Clay, KY

Built 1940 Load: 11.0 t ADT: 247

KY-2058

Poor

Over: BEECH FORK CREEK

.05 MI WEST OF JCT US 421, Leslie, KY

Built 1967 Load: 11.0 t ADT: 134

CHILDRESS(CR1227)

Poor

Over: W. FK. MASSAC CREEK

.9 MI W OF JCT KY 726, McCracken, KY

Built 1970 Load: 11.0 t ADT: 105

FORT BR RD

Poor

Over: BIG BRANCH

.05 MI SE OF KY 2447-B42, Perry, KY

Built 1970 Load: 11.0 t ADT: 197

KY-1917

Poor

Over: WOLF CREEK

2.1 M. S. OF KY. 120, Crittenden, KY

Built 1969 Load: 11.1 t ADT: 54

STAB RD

Poor

Over: BUCK CREEK

.3 MI E JCT KY 80, Pulaski, KY

Built 1932 Load: 11.1 t ADT: 175

HEBRON RD

Poor

Over: FOX RUN

150 FT N OF SCOTT STA RD, Shelby, KY

Built 1980 Load: 11.2 t ADT: 75

CR-1128

Poor

Over: HANCES CREEK

.10 MI W OF JCT KY 1344, Bell, KY

Built 1936 Load: 11.3 t ADT: 50

WHITEMORE ROAD

Poor

Over: CARNEY CREEK

0.1 MI. S OF KY 849, Graves, KY

Built 1988 Load: 11.3 t ADT: 21

KY-1184

Poor

Over: RED RIVER

.2 MI NE OF JCT KY 11/15, Powell, KY

Built 1970 Load: 11.3 t ADT: 646

STAHL ROAD

Poor

Over: BR OF HUMPHREY CREEK

.7 MI NW OF JCT KY 286, Ballard, KY

Built 1960 Load: 11.4 t ADT: 29

EAST PRONG LOCUST

Poor

Over: E.PRONG-LOCUST CREEK

0.6 MI SE JCT KY 1492, Carroll, KY

Built 1987 Load: 11.5 t ADT: 76

LYDANNE BRIDGE S

Poor

Over: FLAT LICK CREEK

0.7 MI S JCT KY 279, Daviess, KY

Built 1950 Load: 11.5 t ADT: 168

KY-1021

Poor

Over: BRIERY CREEK

.85 MI S.E. OF JCT KY 10, Lewis, KY

Built 1969 Load: 11.7 t ADT: 160

KY-537

Poor

Over: GRASSY LICK CREEK

.03mi west of KY3362, Montgomery, KY

Built 1969 Load: 11.7 t ADT: 296

GREENBRIER LN

Poor

Over: ROAD CREEK

0.1 MI. SW OF JCT KY 890, Muhlenberg, KY

Built 1980 Load: 11.7 t ADT: 10

BETHLEHEM CHURCH R

Poor

Over: BR OF SHELTON CREEK

.75 MI E OF JCT KY 121, Ballard, KY

Built 1942 Load: 11.8 t ADT: 228

EAST SLAUGHTER RD.

Poor

Over: FORD CREEK

.4 M. E. OF JCT. KY. 303, Graves, KY

Built 1975 Load: 11.8 t ADT: 214

KY 2672

Poor

Over: SUGARTREE RUN

0.8 MI N OF KY 1526, Bullitt, KY

Built 1970 Load: 11.9 t ADT: 769

ARNETTS FORK ROAD

Poor

Over: DOUBLE CREEK

.1 MI W OF JCT CR 5116, Clay, KY

Built 1935 Load: 11.9 t ADT: 52

PIERCE-LILETOWN RD

Poor

Over: GREASY CREEK

.95 MI N OF US 68, Green, KY

Built 1936 Load: 11.9 t ADT: 220

KY-3165

Poor

Over: SERVANTS RUN

.2 MI SW OF JCT KY 55, Washington, KY

Built 1927 Load: 11.9 t ADT: 34

KY-56

Poor

Over: BR OF MOCK ROY CREEK

.02 MI WEST OF JCT US 41, Webster, KY

Built 1963 Load: 11.9 t ADT: 3,375

NUNN SWITCH RD

Poor

Over: HOODS CREEK

2.1 MI SE OF JCT US 60, Crittenden, KY

Built 1970 Load: 12.0 t ADT: 113

KY-2737

Poor

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

1.6 MI W OF JCT KY 1430, Nelson, KY

Built 1976 Load: 12.0 t ADT: 874

Duvall Rd

Poor

Over: Duvall Creek

_280 South Jct KY 69, Clinton, KY

Built 2011 Load: 12.2 t ADT: 60

WINGO ROAD

Poor

Over: BARN CREEK

1.8 MI S. OF KY 339, Graves, KY

Built 1973 Load: 12.2 t ADT: 259

KY-295

Poor

Over: LIVINGSTON CREEK

AT CRITTENDEN - LYON CL, Lyon, KY

Built 1938 Load: 12.2 t ADT: 675

CR-1153

Poor

Over: Jackson Branch

.4mi north of jct Ky 3302, Fleming, KY

Built 2013 Load: 12.3 t ADT: 40

OLD SHILOH RD

Poor

Over: BR.OF LITTLE JONATHAN CK

0.6 M. W. OF KY. 94, Calloway, KY

Built 1954 Load: 12.4 t ADT: 44

KY-1128

Poor

Over: MUD CREEK

.30 MI EAST OF JCT KY 112, Fulton, KY

Built 1938 Load: 12.4 t ADT: 52

10th Street

Poor

Over: KESS CREEK

480 FT N. OF LINDEN DRIVE, Graves, KY

Built 1960 Load: 12.4 t ADT: 1,875

WHITLOCK ROAD

Poor

Over: BR-LITTLE CYPRESS CREEK

.35 MI. E OF KY 307, Hickman, KY

Built 1968 Load: 12.4 t ADT: 131

KY-569

Poor

Over: BOILING SPRING HOLLOW

.40 MI EAST OF JCT KY 357, Hart, KY

Built 1973 Load: 12.5 t ADT: 147

UNION CHURCH RD

Poor

Over: BR OF UPPER BRUSH CREEK

50 N OF JCT CR 5332, Green, KY

Built 1970 Load: 12.6 t ADT: 42

BINGHAM ROAD

Poor

Over: CUMBERLAND RIVER

.6 MI S-OLD RR LANE, Knox, KY

Built 1905 Load: 12.6 t ADT: 119

ROGERS MILL RD

Poor

Over: HINKSTON CREEK

WEST OF BATH CO LINE, Montgomery, KY

Built 1985 Load: 12.6 t ADT: 265

KY-1000

Poor

Over: WHITE OAK CREEK

.10 MI WEST OF JCT US 460, Morgan, KY

Built 1966 Load: 12.6 t ADT: 184

RAYBURN RD

Poor

Over: BR.OF MID FK CLARKS RIVE

1.5 M. N. OF KY. 1270, Calloway, KY

Built 1954 Load: 12.7 t ADT: 152

KY-3061

Poor

Over: BR OF BRUSH CREEK (EAST)

.1M S OF KY 58, Hickman, KY

Built 1970 Load: 12.7 t ADT: 177

HITESVILLE RD

Poor

Over: MASON CREEK

0.4 MI E JCT KY 359, Union, KY

Built 1974 Load: 12.7 t ADT: 130

KY 2674

Poor

Over: WHITTAKER RUN

100 FT N OF US 31E, Bullitt, KY

Built 1981 Load: 12.8 t ADT: 388

PLEASANT VIEW RD

Poor

Over: SOUTH FK.CANEY CREEK

2.5 MI. SW OF JCT. US 62, Grayson, KY

Built 1977 Load: 12.9 t ADT: 28

NEEDHAM RD

Poor

Over: LINDERS CREEK

2 MI. N. JCT. KY. 84, Hardin, KY

Built 1981 Load: 12.9 t ADT: 65

CLINT RUSSELL RD

Poor

Over: BR OF ANDERSON CREEK

0.15 MI SW JCT KY 56, Union, KY

Built 1983 Load: 12.9 t ADT: 25

KY-1842

Poor

Over: SO.FK. TWIN CREEK

.90 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 356, Harrison, KY

Built 1976 Load: 13.0 t ADT: 182

LBL ROAD 351

Poor

Over: JONES CREEK

LBL, Trigg, KY

Built 1964 Load: 13.0 t ADT: 20

KY 12

Poor

Over: FLAT CREEK

AT HENRY CL, Franklin, KY

Built 1977 Load: 13.1 t ADT: 85

MIDDLE CRK RD

Poor

Over: NEELY BRANCH

3 MI SE OF JCT KY 567, Hardin, KY

Built 1974 Load: 13.1 t ADT: 244

CLAYTON TOWN RD.

Poor

Over: BRANCH OF MC CULLOUGH FK

0.2 M. S. OF KY. 893, Calloway, KY

Built 1971 Load: 13.2 t ADT: 367

Showing 13,751-13,800 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.