Kentucky Bridge Infrastructure: A Complete Analysis
A comprehensive look at Kentucky's bridge inventory, including condition grades, highest-traffic crossings, worst-rated structures, and oldest bridges.
Kentucky is home to 14,590 bridges spanning 120 counties, making it one of the most significant bridge inventories in the country. These bridges carry a combined 66,312,629 vehicle crossings every day. Here is a comprehensive look at the state of Kentucky's bridge infrastructure based on the latest National Bridge Inventory data.
14,590
Total Bridges
C
Infrastructure Grade
7.5%
Poor Condition
48 years
Average Age
Kentucky at a Glance
Kentucky earns an overall infrastructure grade of C based on the percentage of its bridges in poor condition. Currently, 1,088 bridges (7.5%) are rated poor, compared to the national average of 6.7%. The average bridge in Kentucky is 48 years old, younger than the national average of 48 years.
Of the state's 14,590 bridges, 3,916 are in good condition, 9,586 are fair, and 1,088 are poor. View the full breakdown on the [Kentucky report card](/reports/kentucky).
Most-Traveled Bridges in Kentucky
These are the bridges carrying the highest daily traffic volumes across Kentucky. High-traffic bridges are critical infrastructure -- their condition directly affects the commutes of tens of thousands of drivers.
| # | Bridge | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I-75 S RAMP over I275-I75-G&D RAMPS | 60.7 |
| 2 | I-75 RAMP over RAMP DONALDSON TO I-75 | 70.2 |
| 3 | I-75 SB and Ramp over DONALDSON RD (KY 236) | 69.5 |
| 4 | I-65 & RAMPS over I-264 EB ON RAMP | 72.6 |
| 5 | I-264 over US 31E (BARDSTOWN RD) | 61.1 |
| 6 | I-264 over WEICHER CREEK | 66.1 |
| 7 | I-264 over KY 155 (TAYLORSVILLE RD) | 71.5 |
| 8 | I-65 over GRADE LN | 64.9 |
| 9 | I-65 over STANDIFORD LN | 58.8 |
| 10 | I-65 NB ON RAMP over GRADE LN | 67.8 |
Worst-Condition Bridges in Kentucky
The following bridges have the lowest sufficiency ratings in Kentucky. These structures are the most likely candidates for federal repair or replacement funding under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
| # | Bridge | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old Blaine Trace over Lt Fork of Little Sandy | 7.9 |
| 2 | OLD US 68 CONNECTO over LICKING RIVER | 9.0 |
| 3 | WEST 15TH STREET over CSX RAILROAD | 11.5 |
| 4 | FRANK BOWLING ROAD over REDBIRD RIVER | 11.6 |
| 5 | GUM CORNER ROAD over SHAWNEE CREEK SLOUGH | 11.7 |
| 6 | NEBO RD over CSX RAILWAY | 11.7 |
| 7 | HOWARD PERKINS ROA over LYNN CAMP CREEK | 11.9 |
| 8 | OLD SALEM RD over EAST FK-CLARKS RIVER | 12.6 |
| 9 | ALDERDICE ROAD over TERRAPIN CREEK | 13.0 |
| 10 | BRIDGE ST over NS (CNO&TP) SYSTEM | 13.0 |
Oldest Bridges in Kentucky
Kentucky's oldest bridges tell the story of the state's transportation history. Some of these structures have been in continuous service for over a century.
| # | Bridge | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | KY-3113 over LEE CREEK | 15.2 |
| 2 | KY-1268 over JESSAMINE CREEK | 47.8 |
| 3 | KY 17 over OHIO RIVER | 34.5 |
| 4 | KY-3306 over LITTLE SANDY RIVER | 53.8 |
| 5 | KY-2328 over KENTUCKY RVR NR CLAYS FR | 31.0 |
| 6 | KY-3110 over SAND LICK CREEK | 30.4 |
| 7 | US 60X over KENTUCKY RIVER | 21.3 |
| 8 | Rice Clark Rd over North Rolling Fork | 48.7 |
| 9 | Rogers LN over Allens fork Creek | 44.6 |
| 10 | WASHINGTON AVE over CSX RAILROAD | 55.3 |
What These Numbers Mean for Kentucky
Kentucky's bridge infrastructure grade of C reflects both the current condition of the state's bridges and the scale of the challenge ahead. With an average bridge age of 48 years, many of these structures are approaching or past the 50-75 year design life typical of most bridges. The state's ability to maintain and replace aging bridges will determine whether conditions improve or deteriorate in the coming decade.
For county-by-county breakdowns, historical trends, and individual bridge profiles, visit the [Kentucky state page](/bridges/kentucky) or the [Kentucky report card](/reports/kentucky). You can also explore how Kentucky compares to other states in our [state rankings](/blog/best-bridge-infrastructure-by-state-2025).
Data source: All data comes from the National Bridge Inventory maintained by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). BridgeStats is not affiliated with the U.S. government. Data is provided for informational purposes only.
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