US Bridges

KY-527 over Prather Creek

Fair

Marion County, Kentucky · .10 MI Nor. of JCT Ky 84- · Structure no. 078B00048N

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
129 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
800
2021 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

KY-527 over Prather Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying KY-527 over Prather Creek in Marion County, Kentucky. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 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 800 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 800 by 2041. The structure is 129 ft (39.3 m) long and 30 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.7 mi (14 km).

Location

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CarriesKY-527
CrossesPrather Creek
Location.10 MI Nor. of JCT Ky 84-
RouteState Highway 527
CountyMarion County
StateKentucky
Coordinates37.56278, -85.43
Functional classRural Minor 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 protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionJanuary 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating81.5 US tons
Inventory rating48.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length129 ft (39.3 m)
Longest span43 ft (13.1 m)
Deck width30 ft (9.1 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic800 (2021)
Projected traffic800 by 2041
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.7 mi (14 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 KY-527 over Prather Creek built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is KY-527 over Prather 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 January 2024.

How much traffic does KY-527 over Prather Creek carry?

About 800 vehicles per day (2021 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is KY-527 over Prather Creek?

The structure is 129 ft (39.3 m) long with a longest span of 43 ft (13.1 m) and a deck 30 ft wide.

Who owns KY-527 over Prather Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.