US Bridges

KY-1638 over Otter Creek

Fair

Meade County, Kentucky · 1.5 M E JCT Ky 1238 · Structure no. 082B00019N

Built
1990
35 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length
507 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
8,915
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

KY-1638 over Otter Creek is a prestressed concrete continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying KY-1638 over Otter Creek in Meade County, Kentucky. It was built in 1990, so it is 35 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 8,915 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 8,915 by 2043. The structure is 507 ft (154.5 m) long and 33 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

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CarriesKY-1638
CrossesOtter Creek
Location1.5 M E JCT Ky 1238
RouteState Highway 1638
CountyMeade County
StateKentucky
Coordinates37.9225, -86.03028
Functional classRural 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.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJanuary 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment7: Better than present minimum criteria
Operating rating75.5 US tons
Inventory rating45.3 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 25 or greater
Structure length507 ft (154.5 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width33 ft (10.1 m)
Roadway width30 ft (9.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic8,915 (2023)
Projected traffic8,915 by 2043
Trucks10%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was KY-1638 over Otter Creek built?

It was built in 1990, making it 35 years old in 2025.

What condition is KY-1638 over Otter 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 2023.

How much traffic does KY-1638 over Otter Creek carry?

About 8,915 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is KY-1638 over Otter Creek?

The structure is 507 ft (154.5 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 33 ft wide.

Who owns KY-1638 over Otter Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.