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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LIT.FK.LITTLE SANDY RIVE | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 170 |
| SOUTH ELKHORN CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 297 |
| SLICKWAY BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 13,277 |
| HICKMAN BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 6,317 |
| GILBERTS CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1949 | 77 | 1,242 |
| WALKER BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 1,167 |
| CONN BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 1,167 |
| CONN BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 1,167 |
| CONN BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 1,167 |
| RT FK GILBERTS CREEK | Kentucky | Good | 1949 | 77 | 214 |
| PANTHER CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 457 |
| Short Creek | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 105 |
| SKINHOUSE BRANCH | Kentucky | Good | 1949 | 77 | 229 |
| S FK LICKING RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 12,384 |
| BR OF GRAYS RUN | Kentucky | Good | 1949 | 77 | 8,856 |
| BR OF GRAYS RUN | Kentucky | Good | 1949 | 77 | 11,893 |
| EDGEWATER BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 5,187 |
| HUSKENS RUN | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 122 |
| DRY RAVINE | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 687 |
| BOILING SPRING BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 153 |
| LITTLE SIXMILE CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 205 |
| POND CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 388 |
| SMITH BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 950 |
| Big Branch | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 215 |
| INDIAN CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 145 |
| MIDDLE FK STINKING CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 359 |
| ROAD FK STINKING CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 520 |
| ROAD FK STINKING CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 396 |
| MURPHY CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 883 |
| CRADY CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1949 | 77 | 883 |
| EDLIN CREEK | Kentucky | Good | 1949 | 77 | 883 |
| BULL CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 254 |
| HELL FOR CERTAIN CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 254 |
| LONG BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 287 |
| ELK LICK BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 287 |
| BURNT CABIN BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 287 |
| ROCK CAMP CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 287 |
| TERRILL BRANCH | Kentucky | Good | 1949 | 77 | 3,144 |
| BR OF HAYS FORK | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 7,029 |
| COPPERAS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 696 |
| BUFFALO CREEK | Kentucky | Good | 1949 | 77 | 163 |
| SAVAGE BRANCH | Kentucky | Good | 1949 | 77 | 163 |
| S FK LITTLE BARREN RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 591 |
| ADAMS CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 54 |
| BLUE SPRING CREEK | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 105 |
| BARREN RIVER | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 576 |
| SKAGGS CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1949 | 77 | 300 |
| LOWER SPRUCE CREEK | Kentucky | Poor | 1949 | 77 | 219 |
| PASTURE BRANCH | Kentucky | Good | 1949 | 77 | 825 |
| DOC ISOM BRANCH | Kentucky | Fair | 1949 | 77 | 825 |
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.