US Bridges

KY-738 over Clear Fork

Good

Clinton County, Kentucky · .20 MI Sou. of JCT US 127 · Structure no. 027B00011N

Built
1935
90 years old, rebuilt 2019
Condition
Good
inspected December 2021
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
1,592
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

KY-738 over Clear Fork is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying KY-738 over Clear Fork in Clinton County, Kentucky. It was built in 1935 and reconstructed in 2019, so it is 90 years old, older 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 1,592 vehicles a day, projected to reach 1,592 by 2043. The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 4.3 mi (7 km).

CarriesKY-738
CrossesClear Fork
Location.20 MI Sou. of JCT US 127
RouteState Highway 738
Coordinates36.68139, -85.13167
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
Deck9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
Superstructure9 ExcellentNo problems noted.
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 within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating58.5 US tons
Inventory rating45.3 US tons

Structure

MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadGreater than HL 93
Structure length28 ft (8.5 m)
Longest span24 ft (7.3 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width23 ft (6.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,592 (2023)
Projected traffic1,592 by 2043
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed4.3 mi (7 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-738 over Clear Fork built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 2019.

What condition is KY-738 over Clear Fork 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-738 over Clear Fork carry?

About 1,592 vehicles per day (2023 count).

How long is KY-738 over Clear Fork?

The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long with a longest span of 24 ft (7.3 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns KY-738 over Clear Fork?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.