US Bridges

Smith Bridge Road over Sou. Fork. Panther Creek

Fair

Hancock County, Kentucky · .35 MI SE of JCT CR 5114 · Structure no. 046C00030N

Built
1980
45 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
73 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
13
2006 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Smith Bridge Road over Sou. Fork. Panther Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying Smith Bridge Road over Sou. Fork. Panther Creek in Hancock County, Kentucky. It was built in 1980, so it is 45 years old, younger 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 13 vehicles a day, projected to reach 15 by 2026. The structure is 73 ft (22.3 m) long and 18 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSmith Bridge Road
CrossesSou. Fork. Panther Creek
Location.35 MI SE of JCT CR 5114
RouteCounty Highway 1115
CountyHancock County
StateKentucky
Coordinates37.72111, -86.73889
Functional classRural Local

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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating110.1 US tons
Inventory rating59.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length73 ft (22.3 m)
Longest span29 ft (8.8 m)
Deck width18 ft (5.6 m)
Roadway width17 ft (5.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic13 (2006)
Projected traffic15 by 2026
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$168,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Smith Bridge Road over Sou. Fork. Panther Creek built?

It was built in 1980, making it 45 years old in 2025.

What condition is Smith Bridge Road over Sou. Fork. Panther 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 Smith Bridge Road over Sou. Fork. Panther Creek carry?

About 13 vehicles per day (2006 count).

How long is Smith Bridge Road over Sou. Fork. Panther Creek?

The structure is 73 ft (22.3 m) long with a longest span of 29 ft (8.8 m) and a deck 18 ft wide.

Who owns Smith Bridge Road over Sou. Fork. Panther Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.