Ky 79 over Ohio River & CO Road

Fair

Meade County, Kentucky · 0.5M N JCT Ky 228 · Structure no. 082B00021N

Built: 1967; 58 years old, rebuilt 1997
Condition: Fair; inspected May 2023
Type: Truss - Thru; Steel Continuous
Length: 3,098 ft; 2 main spans
Daily traffic: 3,269; 2004 count
Owner: State; State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Ky 79 over Ohio River & CO Road is a steel continuous truss - thru carrying Ky 79 over Ohio River & CO Road in Meade County, Kentucky. It was built in 1967 and reconstructed in 1997, so it is 58 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.

It carries about 3,269 vehicles a day, roughly 10% of them trucks, projected to reach 4,528 by 2029. The structure is 3,098 ft (944.3 m) long and 34 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.2 mi (158 km).

Location

No coordinates are recorded for this structure.

CarriesKy 79

CrossesOhio River & CO Road

Location0.5M N JCT Ky 228

RouteState Highway 313

CountyMeade County

StateKentucky

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.

Component	Rating	Meaning
Deck	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure	5 Fair	All primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure	6 Satisfactory	Structural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection	7 Good	Some minor problems.

Last inspectionMay 2023

Inspection intervalevery 24 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing

Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is

Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is

Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Operating rating52.7 US tons

Inventory rating31.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTruss - Thru

MaterialSteel Continuous

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans2 (+12 approach)

Design loadHS 20

Structure length3,098 ft (944.3 m)

Longest span725 ft (221 m)

Deck width34 ft (10.3 m)

Roadway width28 ft (8.5 m)

Vertical clearance over deck17 ft (5.3 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic3,269 (2004)

Projected traffic4,528 by 2029

Trucks10%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway and pedestrian

CrossesHighway and waterway

Detour if closed98.2 mi (158 km)

TollOn a free road

National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency

Maintained byState Highway Agency

Historic statusEligible for the National Register of Historic Places

Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry

Estimated improvement cost$17 million

NavigationNavigation control on waterway (bridge permit required)

Frequently asked questions

When was Ky 79 over Ohio River & CO Road built?

It was built in 1967, making it 58 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1997.

What condition is Ky 79 over Ohio River & CO Road 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 2023.

How much traffic does Ky 79 over Ohio River & CO Road carry?

About 3,269 vehicles per day (2004 count), of which roughly 10% are trucks.

How long is Ky 79 over Ohio River & CO Road?

The structure is 3,098 ft (944.3 m) long with a longest span of 725 ft (221 m) and a deck 34 ft wide.

Who owns Ky 79 over Ohio River & CO Road?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.