Counties own and maintain more than 5,000 bridges in Kentucky, making up 35% of all the bridges in the state, according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Bridge Inventory.
A bridge is defined as a structure at least 20 feet long based on federal regulations. Counties own and maintain many smaller structures that may look like a bridge but do not meet the federal criteria and thus are not included in the National Bridge Inventory. For more detailed data on county-owned bridges by county, click here.
Bridge Condition Rating Scale
Each year, states submit data to the FHWA, including bridge inspection data. A rating scale of 0–9 is used to evaluate the condition of four bridge components - deck, superstructure, substructure and culvert. The ratings are:
0: Failed condition
1: Imminent failure condition
2: Critical condition
3: Serious condition
4: Poor condition
5: Fair condition
6: Satisfactory condition
7: Good condition
8: Very good condition
9: Excellent condition
The overall bridge condition is determined by the lowest rating of the deck, superstructure, substructure or culvert:
- Good condition: All components are rated seven or higher. These bridges have no or very minor problems.
- Fair condition: Any of the components are rated a 5 or 6. These bridges show minor deterioration or minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
- Poor condition: Any of the components are rated a four or lower. These bridges range from showing advanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour to bridges fully out of service and beyond corrective action.
Condition of bridges in Kentucky
As of 2025, 468 county-owned bridges in Kentucky were in poor condition, making up nine percent of county bridges. Most county-owned bridges (60%) were classified in fair condition while only 31% were classified in good condition.
County-by-County Bridge Condition
The number of county-owned bridges in poor condition range from zero to 23 bridges. Ten counties had no bridges in poor condition while the counties with the most bridges in poor condition were Graves (23), Harlan (23), Pike (19), Calloway (18), Jefferson (18), and Clay (17).
Download bridge condition data by county here. – County by County Bridge Condition 2025.xlsx
County Bridge Condition Over Time
Since 2017, county bridges in poor condition have remained constant at around 9 percent of county bridges.
Despite the number of bridges in poor condition remaining relatively stable, more county bridges are starting to deteriorate. In 2017, 41% of county-owned bridges were in good condition compared to 31% in 2025.
While less bridges are in good condition, more bridges are classified as fair condition – 50% of county-owned bridges were in fair condition in 2017, compared to 60% in 2025.
Funding for County Bridges
During the 2024 legislative session, the General Assembly established the County and City Bridge Improvement Program, allocating $25 million in both FY 2025 and FY 2026 for the repair and replacement of local bridges. Applications for the first phase of FY 2026 funding are due to the Department of Rural and Municipal Aid by Aug. 29, 2025, and must be submitted using Form TC 20-44.
Counties are also eligible for the 80/20 Bridge Program, which provides funding for 80% of the cost to repair or replace existing drainage structures. This program is funded through Rural Secondary and applications should be submitted using Form TC 20-35.
Both programs offer critical funding opportunities to help counties address bridges in poor condition.
