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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THIRD FORK BIG CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1934 | 92 | 554 |
| BUFFALO CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1934 | 92 | 1,376 |
| TRIPLETT CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1934 | 92 | 1,376 |
| TRIPLETT CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1934 | 92 | 1,376 |
| LITTLE BRUSHY CREEK | Kentucky | Good | 1934 | 92 | 3,099 |
| N.FK ELKHORN CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1934 | 92 | 13,576 |
| TRIBUTARY OF DRY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1934 | 92 | 307 |
| WYNN DITCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1934 | 92 | 649 |
| HAZEL BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1934 | 92 | 649 |
| CARTWRIGHT CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1934 | 92 | 2,048 |
| ISBELL BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1934 | 92 | 684 |
| WHITESIDE CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1934 | 92 | 439 |
| GOLDENS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1934 | 92 | 1,107 |
| HARPES CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1934 | 92 | 1,107 |
| CSX RR @ OLD W-BRG-JELCO | Kentucky | Fair | 1934 | 92 | 100 |
| RUSSELL CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 5,890 |
| BUTLERS FORK @BLISS | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 1,683 |
| BIG CREEK NR GRADYVILLE | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 836 |
| FORK OF BIG CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 836 |
| BR OF LEATHERWOOD CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 836 |
| TRIB OF CASEY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 278 |
| BR OF CASEY CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 38 |
| DRY FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 76 |
| EAST BAYS FORK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 2,061 |
| STOVALL CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 191 |
| STRADERS BRANCH | Kentucky | Good | 1935 | 91 | 802 |
| BLUE SPRINGS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 802 |
| BEAVER CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 1,164 |
| BR OF BLUE SPRING CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 1,164 |
| UNNAMED STREAM | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 149 |
| FOX CREEK | Kentucky | Good | 1935 | 91 | 807 |
| SHOPE CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1935 | 91 | 223 |
| NO.ROLLING FORK RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 20 |
| N. FORK OF LICKING RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 582 |
| LOWER TWIN CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 84 |
| MUDDY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 2,240 |
| BR OF MUDDY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 2,240 |
| GOOSE CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 1,346 |
| FRIENDSHIP BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 1,346 |
| SINKING FORK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 1,346 |
| UNNAMED STREAM | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 3,355 |
| LICK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 1,771 |
| CLARKS BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 724 |
| BRANCH OF BUFFALO CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 1,054 |
| KAUFFMAN BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 533 |
| ELLIS BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 533 |
| COULTERS BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 533 |
| LITTLE SOUTH FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 186 |
| ROCK LICK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 378 |
| BRUCE CHAPEL HOLLOW CREE | Kentucky | Fair | 1935 | 91 | 592 |
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.