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 3175

Fair

Over: TRIB TO LITTLE KY RIVER

2.0 MI S OF US 42, Trimble, KY

Built 1975 Load: 29.1 t ADT: 189

KY-66

Fair

Over: CUMBERLAND RIVER

.3 MI N OF JCT US 25E, Bell, KY

Built 1985 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 4,231

I-275

Fair

Over: OHIO RIVER

CROPPER BRIDGE OVER OHIO, Boone, KY

Built 1976 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 40,939

KY-1996

Fair

Over: TWELVE MILE CREEK

.05 MI W. JCT KY 10, Campbell, KY

Built 1995 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 169

US-60

Fair

Over: TYGARTS CREEK

.2 MI W OF W-JCT KY 2078, Carter, KY

Built 1958 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 3,415

UPPER BRUSH CREEK

Fair

Over: BR OF FREY CREEK

2.2 MI S OF JCT KY 906, Casey, KY

Built 1987 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 131

MAIN LAKE ROAD

Fair

Over: CALDWELL SPRING CREEK

50 W OF JCT KY 855, Crittenden, KY

Built 1976 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 111

KY-160

Fair

Over: LOONEY CREEK

.35 MI SE OF JCT KY 1254, Harlan, KY

Built 1942 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 5,415

WILLIAM G PENNY LN

Fair

Over: SOUTHERN DITCH

100 FT N OF KY 1450, Jefferson, KY

Built 1965 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 3,323

VANHOOSER RD.

Fair

Over: SPRING BRANCH

2 MI N. OF JCT KY 93, Livingston, KY

Built 1999 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 18

US-641

Fair

Over: P&L RAILWAY

.40 MI NOR. OF JCT US 62, Lyon, KY

Built 1961 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 2,957

KY-295

Fair

Over: I 24 @ MP 40.720

.7 MI S OF JCT US 62, Lyon, KY

Built 1977 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 918

LONG BRANCH

Fair

Over: RED LICK CREEK

500 S. JCT KY 594, Madison, KY

Built 1997 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 116

PLEASANT RIDGE RD

Fair

Over: CLARKS RUN CREEK

1.0 MI E JCT KY 596, Mason, KY

Built 1995 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 64

KY-69

Fair

Over: MILL RUN

.8 MI E OF GREEN RIVER PW, Ohio, KY

Built 1926 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 4,481

KY-227

Fair

Over: BIG TWIN CREEK

1.0 MI SOU. OF JCT KY 36, Owen, KY

Built 1965 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 487

KY-28

Fair

Over: RIGHT FORK OF COW CREEK

1.75 MI W OF BREATHITT CL, Owsley, KY

Built 1951 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 619

KY-615

Fair

Over: HATCHER CREEK

.15 MI E OF JCT KY 1695, Powell, KY

Built 1967 Load: 29.2 t ADT: 175

US 127 BYPASS NC

Fair

Over: NS (CNO&TP) SYSTEM

.5 MI S JCT KY 151, Anderson, KY

Built 1966 Load: 29.3 t ADT: 10,237

KY-72

Fair

Over: CSX RR & CUMBERLAND RIVE

@ JCT US 119-.15 MI., Bell, KY

Built 1988 Load: 29.3 t ADT: 882

COFFMAN BRANCH RD

Fair

Over: COFFMAN BRANCH

.35 MI- N JCT KY 78, Casey, KY

Built 1996 Load: 29.3 t ADT: 30

LOOP ROAD (OLD KY

Fair

Over: GEORGES BRANCH

.4 MI SW OF N-JCT US 127, Casey, KY

Built 1925 Load: 29.3 t ADT: 271

FLAG FORK RD

Fair

Over: TRIB TO LITTLE FLAT CRK

400 FT W OF US 421, Franklin, KY

Built 1991 Load: 29.3 t ADT: 180

KY-58

Fair

Over: FORK OF PANTHER CREEK

.30 MI EAST OF JCT KY 301, Graves, KY

Built 1927 Load: 29.3 t ADT: 1,838

KY-2

Fair

Over: LITTLE SANDY RIVER

.8 MI NOR KY 145, Greenup, KY

Built 1985 Load: 29.3 t ADT: 1,215

US-41

Fair

Over: FORK OF PLEASANT RUN

.15 MI NOR. OF WEST KY PW, Hopkins, KY

Built 1940 Load: 29.3 t ADT: 2,803

US-31E

Fair

Over: SLOUGH

.20 MI N.E. OF LARUE CL, Nelson, KY

Built 1940 Load: 29.3 t ADT: 2,352

KY-1469

Fair

Over: Right Fork Long Fork

6. MI SW of JCT KY 610, Pike, KY

Built 1979 Load: 29.3 t ADT: 390

KY-174

Fair

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

.20 MI EAST OF JCT US 60, Rowan, KY

Built 1934 Load: 29.3 t ADT: 1,376

LUKE RD

Fair

Over: EAGLE CREEK

300'SOUTH JCT KY 32, Scott, KY

Built 1997 Load: 29.3 t ADT: 86

KY-2077

Fair

Over: GREASY CREEK

.05 MI N.W. OF JCT KY 92, Bell, KY

Built 1953 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 368

KY-1534

Fair

Over: YELLOW CREEK

2.1 MI SW OF JCT KY 1344, Bell, KY

Built 1981 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 429

CR-1326

Fair

Over: LT. FK. STRAIGHT CREEK

0.1.MI W.KY 66, Bell, KY

Built 1988 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 30

US-641

Fair

Over: EASLEY CREEK

1.4 MI S.E. OF JCT KY 70, Caldwell, KY

Built 1932 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 2,886

KY-1773

Fair

Over: GRASSY CREEK

.05 MI W OF W-TERM KY1773, Carter, KY

Built 1953 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 83

EAST MARKSBERRY RD

Fair

Over: SHOEMAKER BRANCH

1.5 MI. E. JCT. US 431, Daviess, KY

Built 1965 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 747

WHITE CRK RD

Fair

Over: LITTLE FORK-LITTLE SANDY

200 NW JCT KY 486, Elliott, KY

Built 1996 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 57

KY-32

Fair

Over: INDIAN CREEK

.90 MI SOU OF JCT KY 1013, Fleming, KY

Built 1932 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 4,277

KY-357

Fair

Over: BACON CREEK

.60 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 728, Hart, KY

Built 1950 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 577

KY 153

Fair

Over: I-71

2.95 MI N OF OLDHAM CL, Henry, KY

Built 1968 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 6,798

I-71 NB

Fair

Over: KY 1606 & FALLEN TMB CRK

2.3 MI N OF KY 153, Henry, KY

Built 1968 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 18,682

KY 1932

Fair

Over: I-64

0.6 MI N OF I-264, Jefferson, KY

Built 1966 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 18,652

KY-15X

Fair

Over: N FORK KY RIVER

.10 MI WEST OF JCT KY 931, Letcher, KY

Built 1965 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 5,354

KY-160

Fair

Over: KINGS CREEK

3.3 MI SE OF JCT KY 588, Letcher, KY

Built 1933 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 334

KY-198

Fair

Over: MARTINS BRANCH

.30 MI SOU. OF JCT KY 78, Lincoln, KY

Built 1937 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 1,387

GREASY RIDGE RD

Fair

Over: GREEN RIVER

.1 MI S OF JCT KY 698, Lincoln, KY

Built 1970 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 135

COLEMAN RD

Fair

Over: TRIB-PERKINS CREEK

.2 MI N JCT US 60, McCracken, KY

Built 1994 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 4,325

KY-2107

Fair

Over: POND CREEK

.50 MI N.E. OF JCT US 431, Muhlenberg, KY

Built 1928 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 241

KY-176

Fair

Over: BR OF CANEY CREEK

2.3 MI EAST OF JCT US 62, Muhlenberg, KY

Built 1932 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 4,195

KY-616

Fair

Over: PANTHER CREEK

4.0 MI NOR. OF JCT US 62, Robertson, KY

Built 1961 Load: 29.4 t ADT: 107

Showing 2,301-2,350 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.