US Bridges

Watts Drive over North Fork Ky River

Good

Letcher County, Kentucky · N @ JCT Ky 7 at Ulvah · Structure no. 067C00083N

Built
2011
14 years old
Condition
Good
inspected May 2021
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
177 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
163
2019 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Watts Drive over North Fork Ky River is a prestressed concrete continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Watts Drive over North Fork Ky River in Letcher County, Kentucky. It was built in 2011, so it is 14 years old, younger than the Kentucky average of 46.6 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 163 vehicles a day, projected to reach 163 by 2039. The structure is 177 ft (53.9 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 123.7 mi (199 km).

Location

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CarriesWatts Drive
CrossesNorth Fork Ky River
LocationN @ JCT Ky 7 at Ulvah
RouteCounty Highway 1376
CountyLetcher County
StateKentucky
Coordinates37.12833, -83.05194
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
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 evaluation7: Better than 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 rating78.2 US tons
Inventory rating46.8 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length177 ft (53.9 m)
Longest span114 ft (34.7 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic163 (2019)
Projected traffic163 by 2039
Trucks0%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed123.7 mi (199 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty 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 Watts Drive over North Fork Ky River built?

It was built in 2011, making it 14 years old in 2025.

What condition is Watts Drive over North Fork Ky River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in May 2021.

How much traffic does Watts Drive over North Fork Ky River carry?

About 163 vehicles per day (2019 count).

How long is Watts Drive over North Fork Ky River?

The structure is 177 ft (53.9 m) long with a longest span of 114 ft (34.7 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns Watts Drive over North Fork Ky River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.