US Bridges

Cairo Road over P&l Railway

FairPosted for load

McCracken County, Kentucky · .80 MI West of I-24 Op · Structure no. 073B00040N

Built
1952
73 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
177 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
5,880
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Cairo Road over P&l Railway is a concrete tee beam carrying Cairo Road over P&l Railway in McCracken County, Kentucky. It was built in 1952, so it is 73 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 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 5,880 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 5,880 by 2043. The structure is 177 ft (53.9 m) long and 37 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.1 mi (5 km).

Location

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CarriesCairo Road
CrossesP&l Railway
Location.80 MI West of I-24 Op
RouteState Highway 305
CountyMcCracken County
StateKentucky
Coordinates37.09444, -88.70361
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourBridge not over waterway
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating48.3 US tons
Inventory rating29 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length177 ft (53.9 m)
Longest span57 ft (17.5 m)
Deck width37 ft (11.4 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic5,880 (2023)
Projected traffic5,880 by 2043
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesRailroad
Detour if closed3.1 mi (5 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 proposedReplacement because of relocation of road
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Cairo Road over P&l Railway built?

It was built in 1952, making it 73 years old in 2025.

What condition is Cairo Road over P&l Railway 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 2024.

How much traffic does Cairo Road over P&l Railway carry?

About 5,880 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Cairo Road over P&l Railway?

The structure is 177 ft (53.9 m) long with a longest span of 57 ft (17.5 m) and a deck 37 ft wide.

Who owns Cairo Road over P&l Railway?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.