US Bridges

KY-281 over CSX Railroad

Fair

Hopkins County, Kentucky · 0.25 MI E JCT US41A · Structure no. 054B00220N

Built
2002
23 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2023
Type
Box Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
224 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
20,111
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

KY-281 over CSX Railroad is a prestressed concrete continuous box beam or girders - single or spread carrying KY-281 over CSX Railroad in Hopkins County, Kentucky. It was built in 2002, so it is 23 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 20,111 vehicles a day, roughly 7% of them trucks, projected to reach 20,111 by 2043. The structure is 224 ft (68.3 m) long and 83 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

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CarriesKY-281
CrossesCSX Railroad
Location0.25 MI E JCT US41A
RouteState Highway 281
CountyHopkins County
StateKentucky
Coordinates37.35056, -87.49389
Functional classUrban 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.
Last inspectionMay 2023
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating102.8 US tons
Inventory rating48.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeBox Beam or Girders - Single or Spread
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length224 ft (68.3 m)
Longest span98 ft (30 m)
Deck width83 ft (25.4 m)
Roadway width65 ft (19.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20,111 (2023)
Projected traffic20,111 by 2043
Trucks7%
Lanes on structure4
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
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 statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was KY-281 over CSX Railroad built?

It was built in 2002, making it 23 years old in 2025.

What condition is KY-281 over CSX Railroad 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 May 2023.

How much traffic does KY-281 over CSX Railroad carry?

About 20,111 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 7% are trucks.

How long is KY-281 over CSX Railroad?

The structure is 224 ft (68.3 m) long with a longest span of 98 ft (30 m) and a deck 83 ft wide.

Who owns KY-281 over CSX Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.