US Bridges

KY-840 over Watts Creek

Fair

Harlan County, Kentucky · .65 MI NW of M-Jct US 119 · Structure no. 048B00109N

Built
1978
47 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
28 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
107
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

KY-840 over Watts Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying KY-840 over Watts Creek in Harlan County, Kentucky. It was built in 1978, so it is 47 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 107 vehicles a day, projected to reach 107 by 2042. The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesKY-840
CrossesWatts Creek
Location.65 MI NW of M-Jct US 119
RouteState Highway 840
CountyHarlan County
StateKentucky
Coordinates36.8575, -83.38139
Functional classRural Minor Collector

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.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJune 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Operating rating101.7 US tons
Inventory rating61 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length28 ft (8.5 m)
Longest span28 ft (8.5 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.4 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic107 (2022)
Projected traffic107 by 2042
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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 proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$74,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was KY-840 over Watts Creek built?

It was built in 1978, making it 47 years old in 2025.

What condition is KY-840 over Watts 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 June 2023.

How much traffic does KY-840 over Watts Creek carry?

About 107 vehicles per day (2022 count).

How long is KY-840 over Watts Creek?

The structure is 28 ft (8.5 m) long with a longest span of 28 ft (8.5 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns KY-840 over Watts Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.