US Bridges

KY-539 over North Fork Licking River

Good

Bracken County, Kentucky · .5 MI W-Jct KY19 @milford · Structure no. 012B00025N

Built
1983
42 years old
Condition
Good
inspected December 2021
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
235 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
144
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

KY-539 over North Fork Licking River is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying KY-539 over North Fork Licking River in Bracken County, Kentucky. It was built in 1983, so it is 42 years old, younger than the Kentucky average of 46.6 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 144 vehicles a day, projected to reach 144 by 2042. The structure is 235 ft (71.5 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5 mi (8 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesKY-539
CrossesNorth Fork Licking River
Location.5 MI W-Jct KY19 @milford
RouteState Highway 539
CountyBracken County
StateKentucky
Coordinates38.58083, -84.16611
Functional classRural Minor Collector

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2021
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating104.2 US tons
Inventory rating62.5 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length235 ft (71.5 m)
Longest span95 ft (29 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.3 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic144 (2022)
Projected traffic144 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5 mi (8 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was KY-539 over North Fork Licking River built?

It was built in 1983, making it 42 years old in 2025.

What condition is KY-539 over North Fork Licking River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in December 2021.

How much traffic does KY-539 over North Fork Licking River carry?

About 144 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is KY-539 over North Fork Licking River?

The structure is 235 ft (71.5 m) long with a longest span of 95 ft (29 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns KY-539 over North Fork Licking River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.