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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BIG BRUSHY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 346 |
| CANE RUN CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 6,057 |
| NEELEY BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 766 |
| SMITHS DITCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 201 |
| HOG RUN | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 20 |
| OTTER CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | — |
| PLEASANT RUN CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1940 | 86 | 116 |
| HUMPHREYS SLOUGH | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 1,308 |
| HUMPHREYS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 1,308 |
| BRADLEY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 821 |
| HENLEY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 821 |
| HANGING FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 258 |
| HARDINS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 1,918 |
| FORK OF HARDIN CREEK | Kentucky | Good | 1941 | 85 | 1,563 |
| KNOB CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 3,423 |
| ZORNES BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 635 |
| GRASSY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 880 |
| MONTGOMERY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 1,434 |
| BR OF BEAVERDAM CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 171 |
| BR OF BEAVERDAM CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 334 |
| KY 2271 (LAFAYETTE DR) | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 4,125 |
| TRIB TO S BENSON CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 7,377 |
| LITTLE BAYOU DE CHIEN | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 923 |
| P&L RAILWAY | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 2,588 |
| WILSON CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 824 |
| THREE PRONG CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 880 |
| BLACKFORD CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 418 |
| BRANCH OFF ROLLING FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 1,865 |
| Rolling Fork River | Kentucky | Good | 1941 | 85 | 1,865 |
| C/N RAILWAY | Kentucky | Poor | 1941 | 85 | 1,369 |
| UNNAME STREAM | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 921 |
| BAYOU DE CHIEN OVERFLOW | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 921 |
| BAYOU DE CHIEN DREDGE DI | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 921 |
| BAYOU DE CHIEN OVERFLOW | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 921 |
| TRIB TO CHENOWETH RUN | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 24,201 |
| BIG RUN | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 8,399 |
| MILL CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 4,362 |
| TRIB TO DUNBAR BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 125 |
| R FRK TROUBLESOME CRK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 7,613 |
| CSX RAILROAD | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 6,513 |
| HAZEL PATCH CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 1,666 |
| JOHN H MORGAN RD | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 1,529 |
| PETER BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 1,073 |
| ROCKHOUSE CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 634 |
| MILL CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 360 |
| TRIB. OF COX SPRING BRAN | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 448 |
| COX SPRING BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 448 |
| DRY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 448 |
| S. FORK OF CUMBERLAND RI | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 1,329 |
| WOLF CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1941 | 85 | 464 |
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.