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-363

Poor

Over: WARD BRANCH

1.8 MI NE OF N-JCT KY 552, Laurel, KY

Built 1975 Load: 27.7 t ADT: 2,325

KY-2057

Poor

Over: CUTSHIN CREEK

.01 MI EAST OF JCT KY 699, Leslie, KY

Built 1977 Load: 27.7 t ADT: 562

Whitco Loop

Poor

Over: N Fork Kentucky River

0.1 MI S of JCT KY 931, Letcher, KY

Built 1970 Load: 27.7 t ADT: 368

KY-293

Poor

Over: SLOVERS CREEK DRAINAGE D

1.2 MI SOU. OF JCT KY 270, Webster, KY

Built 1960 Load: 27.7 t ADT: 181

US-62

Poor

Over: INDIAN CREEK

1.5 MI N.E. OF JCT KY 392, Harrison, KY

Built 1928 Load: 27.8 t ADT: 2,938

KY-1102

Poor

Over: Montgomery Creek

0.58 MI N of JCT KY 550, Knott, KY

Built 1977 Load: 27.8 t ADT: 474

US-421

Poor

Over: SPENCERS BRANCH

.75 MI WEST OF LESLIE CL, Clay, KY

Built 1936 Load: 27.9 t ADT: 1,224

KY 1819

Poor

Over: BRUSH RUN

2.2 MI N OF KY 1531, Jefferson, KY

Built 1975 Load: 27.9 t ADT: 2,009

KY 1689

Poor

Over: N ELKHORN CREEK

250 FT E OF US 460, Franklin, KY

Built 1955 Load: 28.0 t ADT: 1,672

BOWLING BLVD

Poor

Over: MID FORK BEARGRASS CREEK

0.9 MI S OF US 60, Jefferson, KY

Built 1990 Load: 28.0 t ADT: 16,317

Starfire Haul Road

Poor

Over: Balls Fork

@ JCT of KY 1087, Knott, KY

Built 1980 Load: 28.0 t ADT: 134

KY-1566

Poor

Over: LICK BRANCH

.1 MI E OF JCT KY 1997, Campbell, KY

Built 1974 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 132

KY-1241

Poor

Over: OLD MAYFIELD CREEK

.10 MI SOU. OF MARSHALL C, Graves, KY

Built 1926 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 511

KY 1531

Poor

Over: CANE RUN

2.0 MI N OF KY 1819, Jefferson, KY

Built 1955 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 2,098

BEECH FRK LOOP

Poor

Over: CALLOWAY CREEK

1.0 MI WEST OF JCT KY 243, Marion, KY

Built 1927 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 107

US-431

Poor

Over: PLUM CRK

.60 MI SOU. OF JCT KY 176, Muhlenberg, KY

Built 1930 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 5,440

KY-32

Poor

Over: LYTLE FORK

5.25 MI E OF JCT KY1688, Scott, KY

Built 1970 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 337

CR1366

Poor

Over: Sextons Creek

638East of KY 1350, Clay, KY

Built 2011 Load: 28.2 t ADT: 398

KY 1488

Poor

Over: PATTONS CREEK

AT TRIMBLE CL, Oldham, KY

Built 1958 Load: 28.3 t ADT: 81

KY-263

Poor

Over: CLAYLICK CREEK

9.7 MI. N OF JCT W/KY-185, Warren, KY

Built 1974 Load: 28.3 t ADT: 48

KY-784

Poor

Over: DRY FK OF SCHULTZ CREEK

5.0 MI S.W. OF JCT KY 7, Greenup, KY

Built 1972 Load: 28.4 t ADT: 441

Dry Branch Rd

Poor

Over: Little Paint Creek

0.05 MI NW of JCT KY 580, Johnson, KY

Built 1975 Load: 28.4 t ADT: 151

GARVEY AVENUE

Poor

Over: NS (CNO&TP) SYSTEM

3-BLOCKS SOUTH OF US. 25, Kenton, KY

Built 1940 Load: 28.4 t ADT: 4,035

CATESVILLE PROVIDE

Poor

Over: CAVENA CREEK

1.1 MI. NE KY 630, Webster, KY

Built 1984 Load: 28.4 t ADT: 80

KY-1482

Poor

Over: LITTLE BULLSKIN CREEK

1.7 MI EAST OF JCT KY 66, Clay, KY

Built 1976 Load: 28.5 t ADT: 323

BRITTON CREEK RD

Poor

Over: YOCUM CREEK

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

Built 1975 Load: 28.5 t ADT: 100

KY-208

Poor

Over: ROLLING FORK OF SALT RIV

.10 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 412, Marion, KY

Built 1953 Load: 28.5 t ADT: 1,540

US-31E

Poor

Over: ROLLING FORK RIVER

ON LARUE - NELSON CL, Nelson, KY

Built 1941 Load: 28.5 t ADT: 2,352

COURT ST

Poor

Over: BUCKHORN CREEK

600 SE OF MAIN STREET, Taylor, KY

Built 1960 Load: 28.5 t ADT: 134

KY-56

Poor

Over: BR OF ANDERSON CREEK

.40 MI WEST OF WEBSTER CL, Union, KY

Built 1930 Load: 28.5 t ADT: 1,218

KY-61

Poor

Over: CANEY FORK

1.9 MI SOU. OF JCT KY 487, Green, KY

Built 1928 Load: 28.6 t ADT: 1,212

KY-86

Poor

Over: VERTRESS CREEK

2.5 MI WEST OF JCT KY 920, Hardin, KY

Built 1933 Load: 28.6 t ADT: 1,858

KY-987

Poor

Over: BROWNIES CREEK

2.5 MI N.W. OF JCT KY 217, Bell, KY

Built 1978 Load: 28.8 t ADT: 453

WAGEL RD

Poor

Over: LOCUST CREEK

1.2 MI NE OF JCT KY 1159, Bracken, KY

Built 1970 Load: 28.8 t ADT: 60

I-69

Poor

Over: TRADEWATER RIVER

WBL AT HOPKINS-CALDWELL C, Caldwell, KY

Built 1963 Load: 28.8 t ADT: 5,532

BEECH BRANCH

Poor

Over: BEECH BR. ROAD

0.15 W. OF JCT KY 704, Cumberland, KY

Built 2006 Load: 28.8 t ADT: 65

CLAYTON ROAD

Poor

Over: BR OFF MINNOW BRANCH

.1 M. E. OF JCT. KY. 564, Graves, KY

Built 1969 Load: 28.8 t ADT: 63

US-62

Poor

Over: CEDAR CREEK

.8 MI W OF E-JCT KY 733, Nelson, KY

Built 1934 Load: 28.8 t ADT: 1,871

KY-848

Poor

Over: SPRING CREEK

1.0 MI WEST OF JCT KY 181, Todd, KY

Built 1953 Load: 28.8 t ADT: 539

US-62

Poor

Over: SUGAR CREEK

.20 MI WEST OF MCCRACKN C, Ballard, KY

Built 1928 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 3,244

KY-487

Poor

Over: GREASY CREEK

.10 MI SOU. OF JCT US 68, Green, KY

Built 1965 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 647

KY-1907

Poor

Over: LITTLE BAYOU DE CHIEN

1.5 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 94, Fulton, KY

Built 1977 Load: 29.1 t ADT: 151

KY-1254

Poor

Over: POOR FK CUMBERLAND RVR

.05 MI NE OF JCT KY 160, Harlan, KY

Built 1928 Load: 29.1 t ADT: 1,473

KY 864

Poor

Over: BRANCH OF GREASY DITCH

0.15 MI N OF PRODUCE RD, Jefferson, KY

Built 1965 Load: 29.1 t ADT: 28,333

Freedom Rd

Poor

Over: Caney Fork

0.1 MI S of KY 899 @RAVEN, Knott, KY

Built 1981 Load: 29.1 t ADT: 124

US-62

Poor

Over: BR OF PLEASANT RUN CREEK

.9 MI E OF JCT KY 1687, Hopkins, KY

Built 1932 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 1,426

KY-620

Poor

Over: LITTLE EAGLE CREEK

.9 MI E OF JCT KY 1636, Scott, KY

Built 1973 Load: 29.3 t ADT: 204

KY-1210

Poor

Over: Left Fork Middle Creek

0.02 MI SE of JCT KY 404, Floyd, KY

Built 1951 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 285

KATHERINE STATN RD

Poor

Over: POND CREEK

0.35 MI E OF US 31W, Bullitt, KY

Built 1987 Load: 29.5 t ADT: 50

KY-583

Poor

Over: BLUEGRASS PARKWAY

2 MI SE OF JCT US 62, Hardin, KY

Built 1964 Load: 29.5 t ADT: 557

Showing 14,201-14,250 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.