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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAYLORS FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 6,277 |
| LAMB CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 7,259 |
| use to be a RR | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 3,188 |
| BR OF GRASSY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 1,428 |
| BR OF GRASSY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 1,428 |
| MEADOW CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 727 |
| S FK LICKING RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 7,113 |
| BRUSHY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 3,524 |
| CLEAR CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 2,873 |
| ROCK FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1939 | 87 | 2,873 |
| POND LICK CREEK | Kentucky | Good | 1939 | 87 | 2,873 |
| FALLING TIMBER BR. | Kentucky | Good | 1939 | 87 | 2,623 |
| ROSE FORK OF RED RIVER | Kentucky | Good | 1939 | 87 | 1,606 |
| BARNETT CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 791 |
| SPRUCE PINE CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 791 |
| UNNAMED STREAM | Kentucky | Good | 1940 | 86 | 1,174 |
| GREASY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 131 |
| BENNETTS FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 120 |
| MCCOYS FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 219 |
| SAND RUN | Kentucky | Good | 1940 | 86 | 42 |
| KENNEDYS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 2,248 |
| GREEN CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 2,306 |
| STRODES CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 2,326 |
| MCQUADY BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,260 |
| ROCK LICK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,260 |
| HOPPER BRANCH | Kentucky | Good | 1940 | 86 | 1,260 |
| DRY FORK | Kentucky | Good | 1940 | 86 | 914 |
| BLACK LICK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 914 |
| Trib. to Sinking Creek | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 41 |
| INDIAN CAMP CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 2,113 |
| W FK INDIAN CAMP CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 2,113 |
| WILFORD CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,840 |
| E PRONG INDIAN CAMP CREE | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 140 |
| CATO CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,481 |
| SNIPE CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 191 |
| BUFFALO CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 635 |
| BLACK LICK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 186 |
| CAMPBELLS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,096 |
| CAMPBELLS CREEK SLOUGH | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,096 |
| CAMPBELLS CREEK SLOUGH | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,096 |
| FORK SUGAR CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,481 |
| WALLACE BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 1,481 |
| BACKWATERS OF KY RIVER | Kentucky | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 96 |
| LITTLE GOOSE CR | Kentucky | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 247 |
| BUZZARD CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 10 |
| ELK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 52 |
| ELK CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1940 | 86 | 41 |
| ELK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 52 |
| ELK CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 52 |
| BEAR CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 81 |
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.