Kentucky has 14,590 bridges on public roads, according to the FHWA National Bridge Inventory. Of those, 1,088 are rated in poor condition — a rate of 7.5% — 12% above the national average of 6.7%. Another 9,586 are in fair condition, while 3,916 are in good condition.
Use the interactive Kentucky bridge map below to explore every bridge, color-coded by condition. Click any cluster to zoom in, then click an individual bridge for its route, structural ratings, year built, daily traffic, and last inspection date. Filter by condition using the checkboxes, or switch to satellite view to see bridges from above. For a national comparison, see the full US bridges interactive map.
Kentucky Bridge Conditions by the Numbers
- 14,590 total bridges on public roads in Kentucky
- 1,088 in poor condition (7.5%) — above the national average of 6.7%
- 9,586 in fair condition (65.7%)
- 3,916 in good condition (26.8%)
- Oldest bridge in the inventory: KY-3113, built 1835
Oldest Bridges in Kentucky
The oldest bridges in Kentucky date back to the 1830s. The ten oldest Kentucky bridges still in the national inventory:
| Route / Facility | Crosses | Year Built | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| KY-3113 | LEE CREEK | 1835 | Poor |
| KY-1268 | JESSAMINE CREEK | 1850 | Fair |
| KY 17 | OHIO RIVER | 1867 | Poor |
| KY-3306 | LITTLE SANDY RIVER | 1868 | Fair |
| KY-2328 | KENTUCKY RVR NR CLAYS FR | 1871 | Fair |
| KY-3110 | SAND LICK CREEK | 1880 | Fair |
| US 60X | KENTUCKY RIVER | 1894 | Poor |
| Rice Clark Rd | North Rolling Fork | 1900 | Poor |
| KY 237 | TRIB TO GUNPOWDER CREEK | 1901 | Fair |
| Rogers LN | Allens fork Creek | 1901 | Fair |
Most Concerning Kentucky Bridges: Poor Condition and High Traffic
The bridges of greatest concern combine a poor structural rating with high daily traffic loads. These Kentucky bridges carry the most vehicles per day while rated in poor condition:
| Route / Facility | Crosses | Daily Traffic | Year Built | Deck | Superstructure | Substructure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I-65 | STANDIFORD LN | 159,448 vehicles/day | 1988 | Poor (4) | Fair (5) | Good (7) |
| I-64 | KY 3077 (RIVER RD) | 144,000 vehicles/day | 1965 | Satisfactory (6) | Poor (4) | Satisfactory (6) |
| I-65 | BRADLEY AVE | 129,829 vehicles/day | 1957 | Fair (5) | Poor (4) | Fair (5) |
| I-65 | HILL CSX RR & BURNETT | 122,766 vehicles/day | 1957 | Fair (5) | Fair (5) | Poor (4) |
| I-65 | E KENTUCKY & S BROOK ST | 122,766 vehicles/day | 1959 | Fair (5) | Serious (3) | Poor (4) |
How Kentucky Bridge Conditions Are Assessed
Bridge condition in the NBI is determined by ratings of three structural components — deck, superstructure, and substructure — on a scale of 0 (failed) to 9 (excellent). A bridge is classified as good when all three components score 7 or above. It is classified as poor when any component scores 4 or below. Ratings of 5 or 6 on any component with no component below 5 result in a fair classification. KYTC coordinates inspections across Kentucky in line with FHWA standards, with most bridges inspected on a 24-month cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bridges in Kentucky are in poor condition?
1,088 of Kentucky’s 14,590 bridges are currently rated in poor condition by the FHWA National Bridge Inventory, a rate of 7.5%.
What is the oldest bridge in
The oldest bridge recorded in Kentucky’s NBI inventory is KY-3113, built in 1835.
What does a poor bridge rating mean?
A poor rating means at least one of a bridge’s three key structural components — deck, superstructure, or substructure — has been rated 4 or below on the NBI 0-9 scale. A rating of 4 is defined as “poor condition,” and ratings of 3, 2, 1, or 0 indicate increasingly serious deterioration. Poor-rated bridges are not necessarily unsafe or closed, but they require priority attention and monitoring.
View all 624,000+ US bridges on the national interactive map
Compare with neighboring states: Illinois bridges map | Indiana bridges map | Missouri bridges map | Ohio bridges map | Tennessee bridges map | Virginia bridges map | West Virginia bridges map
