US Bridges

KY-7 over Rockhouse Creek

Fair

Letcher County, Kentucky · .1 MI W of JCT Ky 15-SOU. · Structure no. 067B00010N

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2021
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
236 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
7,934
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

KY-7 over Rockhouse Creek is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying KY-7 over Rockhouse Creek in Letcher County, Kentucky. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 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 7,934 vehicles a day, roughly 12% of them trucks, projected to reach 7,934 by 2041. The structure is 236 ft (71.9 m) long and 48 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 5.6 mi (9 km).

Location

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CarriesKY-7
CrossesRockhouse Creek
Location.1 MI W of JCT Ky 15-SOU.
RouteState Highway 7
CountyLetcher County
StateKentucky
Coordinates37.18889, -82.89667
Functional classRural Principal Arterial - Other

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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMay 2021
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 alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating70.7 US tons
Inventory rating42.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 20
Structure length236 ft (71.9 m)
Longest span92 ft (28 m)
Deck width48 ft (14.5 m)
Roadway width44 ft (13.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic7,934 (2021)
Projected traffic7,934 by 2041
Trucks12%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed5.6 mi (9 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes

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 KY-7 over Rockhouse Creek built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is KY-7 over Rockhouse 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 May 2021.

How much traffic does KY-7 over Rockhouse Creek carry?

About 7,934 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 12% are trucks.

How long is KY-7 over Rockhouse Creek?

The structure is 236 ft (71.9 m) long with a longest span of 92 ft (28 m) and a deck 48 ft wide.

Who owns KY-7 over Rockhouse Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.