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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VAUGHNS BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 19,906 |
| Left Fork Beaver Creek | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,647 |
| Clear Creek | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 2,092 |
| Steele Creek | Kentucky | Good | 1938 | 88 | 1,405 |
| Abner Fork | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 2,165 |
| KENTUCKY RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 7,414 |
| IC (NOR) RAILROAD | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 4,689 |
| BROWDER CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,099 |
| BAYOU DE CHIEN | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,099 |
| MUD CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,119 |
| JONES BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,099 |
| FORK OF MUD CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 40 |
| MUD CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 52 |
| BIG SUGAR CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,818 |
| P&L RAILWAY | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,992 |
| BRANCH OF MAYFIELD CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 327 |
| CLOVER FK CUMBERLAND RVR | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,647 |
| SO.FK. LICKING RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 3,636 |
| GREEN RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 8,755 |
| BURGESS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 693 |
| OTTER CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 5,718 |
| FORK OF LICK CREEK | Kentucky | Good | 1938 | 88 | 2,060 |
| LOU AVE-PLSNT RUN CRE | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 3,151 |
| BR OF DRAKES CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 3,151 |
| HARRODS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 27,293 |
| MID FORK BEARGRASS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 36,768 |
| POND CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,652 |
| RT. FORK OF BEAVER CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,140 |
| MUNCY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 2,823 |
| LIVINGSTON CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 693 |
| BR OF LONG FALLS CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 440 |
| PORTERS DITCH | Kentucky | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 260 |
| REBA LAKE RUNOFF | Kentucky | Good | 1938 | 88 | 185 |
| CRUTCHER FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 305 |
| TATES CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 305 |
| PRATHER CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 863 |
| GLOVERS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 291 |
| LULBEGRUD CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 3,535 |
| LULBEGRUD CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 3,535 |
| POND RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 494 |
| ADAMS FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 926 |
| BR OF ADAMS FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 926 |
| BR OF ADAMS FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 926 |
| BR OF ADAMS FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 926 |
| BR OF CANEY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 550 |
| GREEN RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,499 |
| UNNAME STREAM | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,428 |
| UNNAME STREAM | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,428 |
| LEWIS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 577 |
| EAGLE CREEK @LUSBYS MILL | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 467 |
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.