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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upper Laurel Creek | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,082 |
| Hood Creek | Kentucky | Poor | 1937 | 89 | 686 |
| Blaine Creek | Kentucky | Poor | 1937 | 89 | 686 |
| Cam Creek | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 363 |
| Mill Creek | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 363 |
| SHORT CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 2,823 |
| MUNCY CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1937 | 89 | 2,823 |
| Smoot Creek | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 910 |
| MARTINS BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,213 |
| PEYTON CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,213 |
| BR OF PEYTON CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,213 |
| Peyton Creek | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 100 |
| LONG BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 101 |
| LOVERS BRANCH | Kentucky | Good | 1937 | 89 | 83 |
| P&L RAILWAY | Kentucky | Poor | 1937 | 89 | 16,923 |
| MYER CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 4,105 |
| LONG FALLS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 4,105 |
| CSX RAILROAD | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 3,305 |
| JOHNSON BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,513 |
| SALT LICK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,513 |
| RUSH BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 2,119 |
| OLDFIELD CK. | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 809 |
| BR CANEY CRK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 8,515 |
| ROCKY FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 762 |
| MIDDLE FORK OF RED RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 532 |
| MCCONNELS RUN CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 3,448 |
| BRUSH CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,134 |
| CRAB ORCHARD CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1937 | 89 | 84 |
| CUMBERLAND RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1937 | 89 | 1,291 |
| PUNCHEON CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 406 |
| SULPHUR CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 406 |
| ROSE CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,389 |
| CANEY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,389 |
| BUSTER BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 852 |
| COOKS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 675 |
| SIMS FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 538 |
| LEFT FORK STRAIGHT CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 538 |
| ELIJAHS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 807 |
| TURKEY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 714 |
| TERRY FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 714 |
| BULLITT LICK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 8,101 |
| HICKORY CAMP CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 2,240 |
| BR OFF MUD RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,243 |
| BR OFF MUD RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,243 |
| STEVENS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 2,058 |
| ROCKY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 2,058 |
| EAGLE CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 899 |
| SOLDIER CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 903 |
| HAYES CREEK @ UPCHURCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 518 |
| WILLIAMS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 286 |
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.