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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FISHING CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,087 |
| MIDDLE CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 1,087 |
| FIRST CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 104 |
| Ferguson Creek | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 3,701 |
| MARTIN FORK-RED RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 723 |
| S.FK ELKHORN CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 9,250 |
| BURGE CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 725 |
| TRIBUTARY OF DRY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 307 |
| DRY FORK SLOUGH | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 716 |
| CHAPLIN RIVER | Kentucky | Poor | 1938 | 88 | 390 |
| MITCHELL DITCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1938 | 88 | 511 |
| RELIEF @ TYRONE BRIDGE | Kentucky | Good | 1938 | 88 | 4,720 |
| CANNON CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 14,499 |
| CANNON BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 13,217 |
| BACK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 275 |
| MORGAN HOLLOW BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 275 |
| TERRILS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 718 |
| WILLOUGHBY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 718 |
| HOUSTON CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 1,221 |
| STRODES CR MILL RACE | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 2,326 |
| COPE FK OF FROZEN CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1939 | 87 | 199 |
| ROSE BERRY BRANCH-WITHIN | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 7,106 |
| BRANCH OF SUGAR CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 71 |
| LITTLE JONATHAN CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 107 |
| MCCOOLS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 220 |
| UNNAME STREAM | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 562 |
| UNNAME STREAM | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 562 |
| BRANCH OF PANTHER CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 6,700 |
| BRANCH OF PANTHER CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 4,402 |
| BRANCH OF PANTHER CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 4,402 |
| BRANCH OF PANTHER CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 4,402 |
| PANTHER CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 4,402 |
| BRANCH OF PANTHER CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 4,402 |
| SOUTH ELKHORN CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 45,163 |
| MILL CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 281 |
| BACON CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1939 | 87 | 208 |
| BUCK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 1,288 |
| P&L RAILWAY | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 2,361 |
| P&L RAILWAY | Kentucky | Poor | 1939 | 87 | 2,361 |
| WEIRS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 980 |
| WOLFE PEN CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 664 |
| POND CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 664 |
| MOORES CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 611 |
| BRUSH RUN | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 2,364 |
| MILL CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1939 | 87 | 2,184 |
| BLACK BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 1,048 |
| HANGING FORK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 1,221 |
| WIGGINGTON CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 1,753 |
| GREEN RIVER & ROUGH RIVE | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 5,663 |
| SILVER CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 4,621 |
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.