US Bridges

KY-121 over Drainage Ditch

Fair

Carlisle County, Kentucky · .50 MI Sou. of Ballard Cl · Structure no. 020B00031N

Built
1955
70 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
38 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,508
2019 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

KY-121 over Drainage Ditch is a concrete tee beam carrying KY-121 over Drainage Ditch in Carlisle County, Kentucky. It was built in 1955, so it is 70 years old, older than the Kentucky average of 46.6 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 1,508 vehicles a day, roughly 25% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,508 by 2039. The structure is 38 ft (11.6 m) long and 28 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 39.8 mi (64 km).

Location

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CarriesKY-121
CrossesDrainage Ditch
Location.50 MI Sou. of Ballard Cl
RouteState Highway 121
CountyCarlisle County
StateKentucky
Coordinates36.92694, -88.93972
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating78.5 US tons
Inventory rating47.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadH 20
Structure length38 ft (11.6 m)
Longest span35 ft (10.7 m)
Deck width28 ft (8.5 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,508 (2019)
Projected traffic1,508 by 2039
Trucks25%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed39.8 mi (64 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was KY-121 over Drainage Ditch built?

It was built in 1955, making it 70 years old in 2025.

What condition is KY-121 over Drainage Ditch in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in January 2023.

How much traffic does KY-121 over Drainage Ditch carry?

About 1,508 vehicles per day (2019 count), of which roughly 25% are trucks.

How long is KY-121 over Drainage Ditch?

The structure is 38 ft (11.6 m) long with a longest span of 35 ft (10.7 m) and a deck 28 ft wide.

Who owns KY-121 over Drainage Ditch?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.