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-2695

Fair

Over: WESTERN KY PKWY @ 61.86

.1 MI S OF JCT US 62, Muhlenberg, KY

Built 1963 Load: 26.0 t ADT: 33

KY-175

Fair

Over: THOMPSON CREEK

1.0 MI SOU. OF JCT US 62, Muhlenberg, KY

Built 1950 Load: 26.0 t ADT: 113

JOHNSON RD.CR-1309

Fair

Over: CROOKED CREEK

75 FT. S. of JCT. KY 1244, Nicholas, KY

Built 2010 Load: 26.0 t ADT: 131

KY-177

Fair

Over: FLOUR CREEK

.45 MI EAST OF JCT US 27, Pendleton, KY

Built 1962 Load: 26.0 t ADT: 2,789

US-51

Fair

Over: LITTLE MAYFIELD CREEK

3.3 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 80, Carlisle, KY

Built 1920 Load: 26.1 t ADT: 1,992

KY-2

Fair

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

.15 MI NE OF JCT KY 7, Carter, KY

Built 1940 Load: 26.1 t ADT: 528

KY-107

Fair

Over: BUCK FORK CREEK APPROX

3.8 MI N.E. OF JCT KY 189, Christian, KY

Built 1958 Load: 26.1 t ADT: 530

KY-415

Fair

Over: MCIVER CREEK

2.1 MI EAST OF JCT KY 968, Clinton, KY

Built 1952 Load: 26.1 t ADT: 178

KY-90

Fair

Over: WISDOM CREEK

.10 MI WEST OF JCT KY 496, Cumberland, KY

Built 1942 Load: 26.1 t ADT: 2,980

KY-1075

Fair

Over: SUNFISH CREEK

1.0 MI WEST OF JCT KY 187, Edmonson, KY

Built 1952 Load: 26.1 t ADT: 232

KY-2

Fair

Over: LEATHERWOOD CREEK

1.7 MI NE OF JCT KY 784, Greenup, KY

Built 1940 Load: 26.1 t ADT: 693

KY-2

Fair

Over: THREE PRONG CREEK

BTWN JCTS KY 784, Greenup, KY

Built 1941 Load: 26.1 t ADT: 820

KY-58

Fair

Over: C/N RAILWAY

.75 MI WEST OF GRAVES CL, Hickman, KY

Built 1941 Load: 26.1 t ADT: 1,369

KY-355

Fair

Over: BIG TWIN CREEK

.2 MI N OF JCT KY 1982, Owen, KY

Built 1941 Load: 26.1 t ADT: 1,059

KY 1392

Fair

Over: CAMP BRANCH

0.1 MI S OF KY 55, Spencer, KY

Built 1955 Load: 26.1 t ADT: 295

KY-1659

Fair

Over: GLENNS CREEK

.90 MI S OF JCT KY 1681, Woodford, KY

Built 1951 Load: 26.1 t ADT: 660

KY-965

Fair

Over: MILL CREEK

1.2 MI SOU. OF JCT KY 36, Bath, KY

Built 1954 Load: 26.2 t ADT: 1,799

NORTH STEPSTONE RD

Fair

Over: I 64

3.3 MI SW OF JCT US 60, Bath, KY

Built 1966 Load: 26.2 t ADT: 255

KY-1344

Fair

Over: SAM LOW BRANCH

1.2 MI S.E. OF JCT US 119, Bell, KY

Built 1952 Load: 26.2 t ADT: 422

US-41

Fair

Over: CSX RAILROAD

.60 MI SOU OF HOPKINS CL, Christian, KY

Built 1982 Load: 26.2 t ADT: 1,119

CR-1099

Fair

Over: MID.BR.-POND RIVER

.2 MI W. JCT KY 800, Christian, KY

Built 1999 Load: 26.2 t ADT: 64

KY 1262

Fair

Over: ELKHORN CREEK

170 FT N OF KY 1707, Franklin, KY

Built 1985 Load: 26.2 t ADT: 380

CR 1834

Fair

Over: WIHTE OAK CREEK

0.1 MI S.-2070, Greenup, KY

Built 2009 Load: 26.2 t ADT: 25

US460 toUS23S Ramp

Fair

Over: Paint Creek

US 23/US 460 Interchange, Johnson, KY

Built 1996 Load: 26.2 t ADT: 8,436

I-75 NC

Fair

Over: 3RD-4TH-5TH STS COVINGTO

APPROACH TO BRENT SPENCE, Kenton, KY

Built 1963 Load: 26.2 t ADT: 132,112

CASE RD

Fair

Over: STEEP CREEK

.1 MI W OF JCT KY 177, Kenton, KY

Built 1970 Load: 26.2 t ADT: 154

KY-3363

Fair

Over: HOGG CREEK

0.2 MI. NORTH JCT KY 11, Montgomery, KY

Built 1983 Load: 26.2 t ADT: 457

KY-1324

Fair

Over: NOBOB CREEK

4.0 MI S OF JCT KY 63, Barren, KY

Built 1952 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 143

JACKSTOWN ROAD

Fair

Over: HINKSTON CREEK

S. OF NICHOLAS COUNTY, Bourbon, KY

Built 1965 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 431

KY-139

Fair

Over: I-24

.47 MI. N. OF TRIGG CO., Caldwell, KY

Built 1977 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 1,531

IDA IRELAND ROAD

Fair

Over: GRAY CREEK SPRINGS

0.2 MI.E OF KY 1203, Carlisle, KY

Built 1989 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 40

SMOKY VALLEY RD

Fair

Over: SMOKEY CREEK

.4 MI W KY 2, Carter, KY

Built 1991 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 268

KY-32

Fair

Over: SAND LICK CREEK

2.1 MI S.E. OF JCT KY 156, Fleming, KY

Built 1932 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 3,556

TIM ROAD

Fair

Over: WEST FORK CLARKS RIVER

.8 MI SOUTH-SAND HILL RD, Graves, KY

Built 1959 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 267

KY-61

Fair

Over: BIG PITMAN CREEK

1.4 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 88, Green, KY

Built 1940 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 4,135

KY-780

Fair

Over: OVER BAYOU DE CHIEN

.2 MI WEST OF JCT US 51, Hickman, KY

Built 1964 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 151

HIKES LN

Fair

Over: NS RAILROAD

0.65 MI W OF US 31E, Jefferson, KY

Built 1972 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 8,324

KY-1662

Fair

Over: GRASSY CREEK

1.9 MI. SW - KY 59, Lewis, KY

Built 1984 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 164

KY-453

Fair

Over: DRY BRANCH

.30 MI S.E. OF JCT KY 937, Livingston, KY

Built 1923 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 2,096

CAIRO ROAD

Fair

Over: P&L RAILWAY

.80 MI WEST OF I-24 OP, McCracken, KY

Built 1952 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 8,195

OAK TREE DR

Fair

Over: BR-LITTLE CYPRESS CREEK

.97 MI S.W. OF JCT KY 70, Muhlenberg, KY

Built 1924 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 100

OAK TREE DR

Fair

Over: UNNAME STREAM

1.05 MI S.W. OF JCT KY 70, Muhlenberg, KY

Built 1924 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 100

OAK TREE DR

Fair

Over: BR-LITTLE CYPRESS CREEK

1.14 MI S.W. OF JCT KY 70, Muhlenberg, KY

Built 1924 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 100

BENSON PIKE

Fair

Over: TRIB TO CLEAR CREEK

0.6 MI W OF KY 1871, Shelby, KY

Built 1991 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 2,685

KY-983

Fair

Over: WALKER LAKE INLET

1.15 MI. N.W.-JCT.US 41A, Webster, KY

Built 1982 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 401

KY-92

Fair

Over: HARPES CREEK

.05 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 904, Whitley, KY

Built 1934 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 1,079

CR-1256

Fair

Over: GREASY CREEK

.20 MI N OF JCT KY 92, Bell, KY

Built 1973 Load: 26.4 t ADT: 18

KY-126

Fair

Over: DRY CREEK

.60 MI S.E. OF JCT KY 139, Caldwell, KY

Built 1933 Load: 26.4 t ADT: 349

INTERSTATE 64

Fair

Over: KY 1025

2.2 MI WEST OF US 60 NTRC, Carter, KY

Built 1969 Load: 26.4 t ADT: 6,269

KY-187

Fair

Over: SUNFISH CREEK

.6 MI S OF N-JCT KY 238, Edmonson, KY

Built 1933 Load: 26.4 t ADT: 856

Showing 1,801-1,850 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.