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

HR-9006

Fair

Over: RED BIRD RIVER

3.5 MI WEST OF LESLIE CL, Clay, KY

Built 1973 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 4,924

KY-11

Fair

Over: COLLINS FORK--GOOSE CREE

3.3 MI SOU. OF JCT US 421, Clay, KY

Built 1946 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1,257

KY-90

Fair

Over: SLATE FORK CREEK

.50 MI EAST OF JCT KY 449, Cumberland, KY

Built 1975 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 3,037

KY-90

Fair

Over: CEDAR CREEK

.5 MI E OF W-JCT KY 1880, Cumberland, KY

Built 1975 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 3,037

KY-90

Fair

Over: CARTER BRANCH CREEK

1.5 MI EAST OF JCT KY 449, Cumberland, KY

Built 1975 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 3,037

US-231

Fair

Over: PANTHER CREEK

.20 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 298, Daviess, KY

Built 1947 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 6,700

SANG BR

Fair

Over: RED LICK CREEK

.2 MI S JCT KY 594, Estill, KY

Built 1996 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 69

RICHMOND ROAD

Fair

Over: I-75

2.25 MI S OF JCT KY 1973, Fayette, KY

Built 1963 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 4,274

S 75 NC

Fair

Over: N BROADWAY & N LIMESTONE

SBL OVR US 27 NTRCH, Fayette, KY

Built 1964 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 51,049

I-75

Fair

Over: CSX RR-N BWAY-N LIMESTON

NBL OVR US 27 NTRCH, Fayette, KY

Built 1964 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 51,049

RUSSELL CAVE RD

Fair

Over: CANE RUN CREEK

.1MI N-NEW CIRCLE-KY 4, Fayette, KY

Built 1974 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 13,165

KY-3367

Fair

Over: BR OF NO. ELKHORN CREEK

.2 MI. WEST - KY 1970, Fayette, KY

Built 1982 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 331

KY-32

Fair

Over: CRANE CREEK

1.6 MI NW OF ROWAN CO.LN., Fleming, KY

Built 1932 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 4,277

KY-165

Fair

Over: TTI RAILROAD

.25 MI E OF E-JCT KY 560, Fleming, KY

Built 1972 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 2,547

Spewing Camp Br

Fair

Over: Left Frk Beaver Crk

0.1 MI E of KY 122, Floyd, KY

Built 1970 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 260

KY-781

Fair

Over: UNNAME STREAM

1.2 MI SOU. OF JCT KY 94, Fulton, KY

Built 1955 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 136

KY-1129

Fair

Over: MUD CREEK

.20 MI SOU. OF JCT KY 94, Fulton, KY

Built 1959 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 89

NOE ROAD

Fair

Over: LOWELL CK-OF PAINT LICK

0.2 MI W OLD RICHMOND RD, Garrard, KY

Built 1984 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 249

KY-131

Fair

Over: JACKSON PURCHASE PARKWAY

1 MI N OF JCT KY 58-80, Graves, KY

Built 1967 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 3,385

RUDY ROAD

Fair

Over: MCCLANE CREEK

.4 MI N KY 384, Graves, KY

Built 1991 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 30

MIDDLE KNOTTSVILLE

Fair

Over: CANEY CREEK

.1 MI S OF JCT CR 5027, Hancock, KY

Built 1982 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 150

ED BROWN ROAD

Fair

Over: HORSE FORK CREEK

1.5 MI. W. JCT. KY 69, Hancock, KY

Built 1982 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 62

CR-1107

Fair

Over: YOCUM CREEK

.2 MI N OF JCT KY 215, Harlan, KY

Built 1975 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 150

CR-6002

Fair

Over: CLOVER FK-CUMBERLAND R

100 FT N. KY 38, Harlan, KY

Built 1990 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 500

ODDVILLE AVE

Fair

Over: FLAT RUN CREEK

.6 MI NE OF N-JCT US 27, Harrison, KY

Built 1928 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 6,109

I-264 WB

Fair

Over: I-264 WB ON RAMP

0.1 MI E OF US 31W, Jefferson, KY

Built 1974 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 81,002

KY 2055

Fair

Over: LITTLE BEE LICK CREEK

0.65 MI N OF KY 1020, Jefferson, KY

Built 1976 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 4,042

LOWER HUNTERS TRC

Fair

Over: BIG RUN

0.8 MI W OF US 31W, Jefferson, KY

Built 1960 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 12,902

I-75 N RAMP

Fair

Over: I275-I75-G&D RAMPS

EB I275 TO NB I75 RMP-LVL, Kenton, KY

Built 1971 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 108,382

HR-9006

Fair

Over: WILLIE MARTIN ROAD

.20 MI WEST OF CLAY CL, Laurel, KY

Built 1970 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 8,394

LEFT FORK LAUREL R

Fair

Over: LAUREL CREEK

.40 MI SE JCT KY 32, Lawrence, KY

Built 1995 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 30

Wheeler Branch Rd

Fair

Over: Hood Creek

0.3 MI NE of JCT KY 201, Lawrence, KY

Built 1995 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 20

KY-118

Fair

Over: ROCKHOUSE CREEK

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

Built 1974 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 3,744

KY-7

Fair

Over: Rockhouse Creek

2.8 MI E of JCT KY 1410, Letcher, KY

Built 1951 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 676

KY-8

Fair

Over: SALT LICK CREEK

.05 MI EAST OF JCT KY 8, Lewis, KY

Built 1956 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 2,959

KY-9

Fair

Over: BLUE SPRING BRANCH

2 MI SW OF JCT KY 2523, Lewis, KY

Built 1971 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 4,969

KY-106

Fair

Over: ELK LICK CREEK

.2 MI W OF JCT KY 1151, Logan, KY

Built 1934 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 711

KY-93

Fair

Over: LICK CREEK

.30 MI NOR. OF I-24 OP, Lyon, KY

Built 1963 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 4,566

I-24

Fair

Over: OHIO RIVER

OHIO RIVER -TO METROPOLIS, McCracken, KY

Built 1974 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 33,107

KY-81

Fair

Over: KY256 GREEN RIVER CANAL

.2 MI N JCT KY 138, McLean, KY

Built 1999 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 4,053

RICHLAND ROAD

Fair

Over: MYERS CREEK

.4 MI E OF JCT KY81, McLean, KY

Built 1958 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 192

US-460

Fair

Over: ROCKHOUSE FORK

.55 MI N.E. OF JCT KY 114, Magoffin, KY

Built 1976 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 3,405

Stamper Branch Rd

Fair

Over: Left fork Johnson creek

.42mi Johnsn Rd frm Ky134, Magoffin, KY

Built 2015 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 39

LN-9008

Fair

Over: JACK SPARKS RD

9008 PKY @ JACK SPARKS RD, Metcalfe, KY

Built 1973 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 4,857

LN-9008

Fair

Over: EAST FORK-ADAIR CO LN RD

1.0 MILE WEST OF ADAIR CL, Metcalfe, KY

Built 1973 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 4,857

LN 9008

Fair

Over: DRIPPING SPRINGS ROAD

23.18 M.P. OF LN-9008, Metcalfe, KY

Built 1973 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 6,947

KY-90

Fair

Over: GARMAN BRANCH

2.5 MI WEST OF CMBRLND CL, Metcalfe, KY

Built 1978 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 2,450

KY-2452

Fair

Over: E FK BARREN RIVER

0.6 MI N OF JCT KY 63, Monroe, KY

Built 1970 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 133

ALEXANDER SCHOOL R

Fair

Over: SUGAR CREEK

2.1 MI S OF JCT KY 100, Monroe, KY

Built 1957 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 106

FROGG PIKE

Fair

Over: HINKSTON CREEK

100 FT W OF JCT KY 11, Montgomery, KY

Built 1983 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 585

Showing 3,101-3,150 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.