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

US-60

Fair

Over: E.FK.TRIPLETT CREEK

2.0 MI EAST OF JCT KY 801, Rowan, KY

Built 1948 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 4,883

N RAYS FORK RD

Fair

Over: RAYS FORK

1.2 MI N OF JCT KY 608, Scott, KY

Built 1987 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 24

KY 714

Fair

Over: JEPTHA CREEK

0.8 MI N OF WOODLAWN RD, Shelby, KY

Built 1969 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 245

KY 44

Fair

Over: BRASHEARS CREEK

315 FT E OF KY 1633, Spencer, KY

Built 1958 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 6,191

US-150

Fair

Over: PLEASANT RUN

3.5 MI.SE. SELL -SPRNGFLD, Washington, KY

Built 1996 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 3,821

EAST JEFFERSON STR

Fair

Over: MOCK ROY CREEK

300' W. US 41, Webster, KY

Built 1991 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 862

OAK HEIGHTS JONESS

Fair

Over: JONESTAND DITCH

.6 MI S - KY 56, Webster, KY

Built 1992 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 109

I-64 (WEST)

Fair

Over: SOUTH ELKHORN CREEK

WBL AT SCOTT-WOODFORD CL, Woodford, KY

Built 1973 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 19,379

I-64 (EAST)

Fair

Over: SOUTH ELKHORN CREEK

EBL AT SCOTT-WOODFORD CL, Woodford, KY

Built 1973 Load: 37.2 t ADT: 19,379

KY-100

Fair

Over: LONG HOLLOW BRANCH

.70 MI EAST OF JCT KY 482, Allen, KY

Built 1933 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 2,292

FURCHES TRL

Fair

Over: MIDDLE FK CLARKS RIVER

0.25 M. S. OF KY. 1550, Calloway, KY

Built 1971 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 119

KY-124

Fair

Over: SUGAR CREEK

0.75 MI. S.W. OF KY 91, Christian, KY

Built 1985 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 529

KY-466

Fair

Over: Left Fork Beaver Creek

1.2 MI S of JCT KY 122, Floyd, KY

Built 1994 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 856

CR-1083

Fair

Over: CLOVER FK CUMBERLAND RVR

SW @ JCT KY 38, Harlan, KY

Built 1975 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 200

KY-266

Fair

Over: ROCK CREEK

1.8 MI NW OF JCT US 60, Henderson, KY

Built 1967 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 146

SIXTH VEIN RD

Fair

Over: LICK CREEK

200 E. OF KY 109, Hopkins, KY

Built 1976 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 178

Industrial Park Rd

Fair

Over: Levisa Fork

0.01 MI S of KY 321, Johnson, KY

Built 1967 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 787

KY-177

Fair

Over: BOWMAN CREEK

1.3 MI N OF JCT KY 2042, Kenton, KY

Built 1932 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 1,281

FELTNER STEER RD

Fair

Over: LITTLE RACCOON CREEK

.1 MI. S.JCT KY 30, Laurel, KY

Built 1991 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 153

KY-3246

Fair

Over: FALL LICK CREEK

AT THE.GARRARD CO LINE, Lincoln, KY

Built 1994 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 279

VAUGHN RD.

Fair

Over: HICKORY CREEK

1.8 MI N. OF KY 70, Livingston, KY

Built 2010 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 36

US-460

Fair

Over: CLAY LICK

.6 MI.W MENIFEE CO LN, Montgomery, KY

Built 1993 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 3,933

US-460

Fair

Over: BLACKWATER CREEK

.05 MI. WEST-KY 772, Morgan, KY

Built 1985 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 1,305

Perry Park Rd

Fair

Over: MILL CREEK

0.2 MI South Of KY-1982, Owen, KY

Built 1967 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 50

KY-39

Fair

Over: BUCK CREEK

1.4 MI NOR. OF JCT KY 452, Pulaski, KY

Built 1964 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 1,873

KY-1004

Fair

Over: ROUNDSTONE CREEK

.05 MI W OF JCT KY 1912, Rockcastle, KY

Built 1965 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 1,203

KY-377

Fair

Over: N. FORK OF TRIPLETT CREE

3 MI N OF E-JCT KY 799, Rowan, KY

Built 1948 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 707

ANDERSON LN

Fair

Over: BULLSKIN CREEK

2.2 MI E OF KY 362, Shelby, KY

Built 1986 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 299

KY-124

Fair

Over: HORSE CREEK

1.0 MI S.W. OF JCT KY 126, Trigg, KY

Built 1933 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 427

KY-667

Fair

Over: DENNIS ONAN DITCH

1.4 MI WEST OF JCT KY 150, Union, KY

Built 1973 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 17

KY-1340

Fair

Over: FREDERICKS DITCH

.1 MI W OF JCT KY 874, Webster, KY

Built 1976 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 516

KY-1659

Fair

Over: BRANCH OF GLENN CREEK

5FT S OF JCT KY 1681, Woodford, KY

Built 1961 Load: 37.3 t ADT: 660

HOOPHOLE ROAD

Fair

Over: BLUEGRASS PARKWAY

1.3 MI E OF KY53, Anderson, KY

Built 1964 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 91

US-25E-10

Fair

Over: YELLOW CREEK

SB .1 MI S OF JCT KY 188, Bell, KY

Built 1973 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 9,431

US-25E

Fair

Over: YELLOW CREEK

NB .1 MI S OF JCT KY 188, Bell, KY

Built 1973 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 9,431

KY-20

Fair

Over: I 275

1 MI W OF JCT KY 212, Boone, KY

Built 1972 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 7,161

KY-139

Fair

Over: GOOSE CREEK

2.0 MI S.W. JCT US 62, Caldwell, KY

Built 1984 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 2,132

KY-80

Fair

Over: JONATHAN CREEK

.14 MI SW JCT KY-1346, Calloway, KY

Built 2004 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 1,814

KY-627

Fair

Over: LOWER HOWARDS CREEK

.25 MI S OF JCT W/KY 1958, Clark, KY

Built 1967 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 16,727

KY-691

Fair

Over: LYONS BRANCH

.6 MI. N JCT KY 1205, Cumberland, KY

Built 1935 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 136

HOWARDS BOTTOM RD

Fair

Over: BRUSH CREEK

2.35 MI N&W FROM KY 1880, Cumberland, KY

Built 1970 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 112

KY-1973

Fair

Over: I - 75

.7 MI W OF JCT US 25, Fayette, KY

Built 1976 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 12,006

KY-219

Fair

Over: CUMBERLAND RIVER

.25 MI N OF JCT KY 2007, Harlan, KY

Built 1976 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 1,774

KY-982

Fair

Over: LICKING RIVER

1.4 MI. S.-JCT. KY 32, Harrison, KY

Built 1983 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 3,551

Narrows Fork Rd

Fair

Over: Jennys Creek

0.636 MI SW of JCT KY 825, Johnson, KY

Built 2005 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 70

KY-135

Fair

Over: BUCK CREEK

.05 MI WEST OF JCT KY 137, Livingston, KY

Built 1959 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 101

RIVER RD

Fair

Over: GASPER RIVER

.71 MI N. JCT KY 73, Logan, KY

Built 1998 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 121

KY-499

Fair

Over: MUDDY CREEK

2.9 MI. E OF JCT 421, Madison, KY

Built 1983 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 828

I-75

Fair

Over: KY 52

2.543 MI S JCT KY 876, Madison, KY

Built 2002 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 66,135

Moore Branch

Fair

Over: Coldwater Fork

0.12 MI S of JCT KY 908, Martin, KY

Built 1985 Load: 37.4 t ADT: 130

Showing 4,451-4,500 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.