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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 227 |
| SOU.FK.LICKING R.@BUTLER | Kentucky | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 2,664 |
| CLAYS BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 1,446 |
| TRIB. TO FISHING CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 1,446 |
| BR OF HARRIS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 14 |
| SPUTTER BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 447 |
| DRY RUN | Kentucky | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 21,059 |
| CERULEAN CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 529 |
| TRIBUTARY OF MUDDY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 604 |
| CLAY LICK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 160 |
| LONG LICK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 572 |
| MILL CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 1,668 |
| OWENS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 372 |
| OWENS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1936 | 90 | 976 |
| LYNN CAMP CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1936 | 90 | 50 |
| NORTH PRONG | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 2,061 |
| OHIO RIVER -IC (SOU) RR | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 5,344 |
| WEISER BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,781 |
| HOUSTON CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,666 |
| HOUSTON CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 2,061 |
| SALT RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 29 |
| NANNEY BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 6,578 |
| BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,817 |
| MC CULLOUGH FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 133 |
| COLD CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 562 |
| CSX RAILROAD | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 926 |
| STRODES CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 9,058 |
| HANCOCK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 9,058 |
| WOLFE BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 9,058 |
| WILDCAT CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,216 |
| BR--LITTLE GOOSE CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,851 |
| DRY FK OF LIVINGSTON CRK | Kentucky | Poor | 1937 | 89 | 748 |
| BR OF DRY FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 748 |
| DOCTORS BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,581 |
| BOONE CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 279 |
| IC (NOR) RAILROAD | Kentucky | Poor | 1937 | 89 | 4,571 |
| HARRIS FORK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,748 |
| CROOKED CREEK @ CORDOVA | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,291 |
| OBION CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,039 |
| FLAT ROCK BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 3,176 |
| BIG REEDY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 777 |
| GRAVEL BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 777 |
| UNNAME STREAM | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 762 |
| UNNAME STREAM | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 762 |
| ELK LICK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 37 |
| DITCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 316 |
| RUSSELL CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 252 |
| UNNAME STREAM | Kentucky | Poor | 1937 | 89 | 252 |
| NORTH FORK BAYOU DE CHIE | Kentucky | Poor | 1937 | 89 | 726 |
| LICK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 2,060 |
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.