US Bridges

KY-259 over Bear Creek

Fair

Grayson County, Kentucky · 2.8 MI Sou. of West Ky Pw · Structure no. 043B00011N

Built
1935
90 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
288 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
3,141
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

KY-259 over Bear Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying KY-259 over Bear Creek in Grayson County, Kentucky. It was built in 1935, 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 fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 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 3,141 vehicles a day, roughly 17% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,141 by 2043. The structure is 288 ft (87.8 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesKY-259
CrossesBear Creek
Location2.8 MI Sou. of West Ky Pw
RouteState Highway 259
CountyGrayson County
StateKentucky
Coordinates37.42667, -86.27889
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating71.4 US tons
Inventory rating42.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadH 15
Structure length288 ft (87.8 m)
Longest span48 ft (14.6 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width21 ft (6.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,141 (2023)
Projected traffic3,141 by 2043
Trucks17%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$900,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was KY-259 over Bear Creek built?

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

What condition is KY-259 over Bear Creek 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does KY-259 over Bear Creek carry?

About 3,141 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 17% are trucks.

How long is KY-259 over Bear Creek?

The structure is 288 ft (87.8 m) long with a longest span of 48 ft (14.6 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns KY-259 over Bear Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.