Historic Bridges in Kentucky
2,241 bridges built before 1951 in Kentucky still in service today.
Bridges Built Before 1951
The United States has 2,241 bridges in Kentucky built before 1951 that remain in active service. These structures are 75+ years old — many predate modern engineering codes and were not designed for today's traffic volumes and vehicle weights. The average design life of a bridge is 50 years, making these aging structures a significant infrastructure concern.
| Bridge | State | Condition | Year Built | Age (Years) | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KELLY CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1920 | 106 | 747 |
| SOUTH ELKHORN CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1920 | 106 | 1,282 |
| TOWN BR OF FLEMING CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1920 | 106 | 3,229 |
| Levisa Fork & Old US 23 | Kentucky | Poor | 1920 | 106 | 265 |
| NS (CNO&TP) SYSTEM | Kentucky | Poor | 1920 | 106 | 105 |
| RED DUCK CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1920 | 106 | 6,394 |
| POND CREEK SWAMP | Kentucky | Poor | 1920 | 106 | 65 |
| TRIB TO DRENNON CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1920 | 106 | 75 |
| MID FORK BEARGRASS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1920 | 106 | 2,622 |
| MID FORK BEARGRASS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1920 | 106 | 1,508 |
| HARRODS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1920 | 106 | 7,574 |
| CSX RAILROAD | Kentucky | Poor | 1920 | 106 | 21 |
| BARREN RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1920 | 106 | 79 |
| SULPHUR CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1920 | 106 | 22 |
| ABRAHAMS RUN | Kentucky | Fair | 1920 | 106 | 200 |
| W FORK BACK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1921 | 105 | — |
| TRIB. TO LEAD CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1921 | 105 | 2,281 |
| Bent Branch | Kentucky | Poor | 1921 | 105 | 1,313 |
| TRIPLETT CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1921 | 105 | 90 |
| CLOVER CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1922 | 104 | 649 |
| BR OF KURK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 1,893 |
| ROCKCASTLE RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 198 |
| NEALS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 727 |
| Buckhorn Creek | Kentucky | Good | 1922 | 104 | 4,242 |
| BR OF W FK RED RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 340 |
| BR OF W FK RED RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 132 |
| CRAB ORCHARD CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1922 | 104 | 221 |
| Flat Run Creek | Kentucky | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 6,026 |
| BOLTS FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 769 |
| ELLINGTON BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 1,479 |
| LAUREL CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 744 |
| MARSH RUN | Kentucky | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 1,339 |
| FAUCETT CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 191 |
| FORK OF SKIN FRAME CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 2,306 |
| DRAINAGE DITCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 1,531 |
| DRY BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 2,096 |
| GUESS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 2,096 |
| ROCK SPRING BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 1,335 |
| ROLLING FORK | Kentucky | Poor | 1923 | 103 | 1,105 |
| BROKE LEG CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 963 |
| REED FORK | Kentucky | Poor | 1923 | 103 | 1,236 |
| CAT CREEK | Kentucky | Good | 1923 | 103 | 1,473 |
| HALLS BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1923 | 103 | 1,473 |
| Road Run Branch | Kentucky | Good | 1923 | 103 | 3,286 |
| DIX RVR-HERRINGTON LAKE | Kentucky | Poor | 1924 | 102 | 630 |
| SCAFFORD CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1924 | 102 | 775 |
| BR OF MAJORS RUN | Kentucky | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 611 |
| FORK OF LITTLE RIVER | Kentucky | Good | 1924 | 102 | 4,020 |
| SLOP CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,744 |
| UNNAME STREAM | Kentucky | Fair | 1924 | 102 | 1,739 |
About Historic Bridge Data
Bridges built before 1951 are classified as historic in this database. Many were designed to 1940s standards with lower load limits and narrower lanes. While FHWA requires regular inspections of all bridges regardless of age, older structures often require more frequent monitoring and rehabilitation investment.