US Bridges

US-31W over Bacon Creek

Fair

Hart County, Kentucky · .2 MI S of S-Jct Ky 728 · Structure no. 050B00035N

Built
1933
92 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2021
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
129 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
2,262
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US-31W over Bacon Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying US-31W over Bacon Creek in Hart County, Kentucky. It was built in 1933, so it is 92 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 2,262 vehicles a day, roughly 11% of them trucks, projected to reach 2,262 by 2043. The structure is 129 ft (39.3 m) long and 27 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesUS-31W
CrossesBacon Creek
Location.2 MI S of S-Jct Ky 728
RouteU.S. Route 31
CountyHart County
StateKentucky
Coordinates37.375, -85.90278
Functional classRural Major 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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionDecember 2021
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating67.7 US tons
Inventory rating40.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 15
Structure length129 ft (39.3 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width27 ft (8.2 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,262 (2023)
Projected traffic2,262 by 2043
Trucks11%
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 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 US-31W over Bacon Creek built?

It was built in 1933, making it 92 years old in 2025.

What condition is US-31W over Bacon 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 December 2021.

How much traffic does US-31W over Bacon Creek carry?

About 2,262 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 11% are trucks.

How long is US-31W over Bacon Creek?

The structure is 129 ft (39.3 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 27 ft wide.

Who owns US-31W over Bacon Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.