US Bridges

KY-160 over Looney Creek

Fair

Harlan County, Kentucky · 5.4 Mi. S.E. JCT US 119 · Structure no. 048B00155N

Built
1988
37 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Multiple
Prestressed Concrete
Length
68 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
211
2022 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

KY-160 over Looney Creek is a prestressed concrete box beam or girders - multiple carrying KY-160 over Looney Creek in Harlan County, Kentucky. It was built in 1988, so it is 37 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 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 211 vehicles a day, roughly 13% of them trucks, projected to reach 211 by 2042. The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long and 36 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 42.9 mi (69 km).

Location

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CarriesKY-160
CrossesLooney Creek
Location5.4 Mi. S.E. JCT US 119
RouteState Highway 160
CountyHarlan County
StateKentucky
Coordinates36.96083, -82.89889
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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating73.3 US tons
Inventory rating44 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Multiple
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20
Structure length68 ft (20.7 m)
Longest span67 ft (20.3 m)
Deck width36 ft (11 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic211 (2022)
Projected traffic211 by 2042
Trucks13%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed42.9 mi (69 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was KY-160 over Looney Creek built?

It was built in 1988, making it 37 years old in 2025.

What condition is KY-160 over Looney 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does KY-160 over Looney Creek carry?

About 211 vehicles per day (2022 count), of which roughly 13% are trucks.

How long is KY-160 over Looney Creek?

The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long with a longest span of 67 ft (20.3 m) and a deck 36 ft wide.

Who owns KY-160 over Looney Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.