KY-342 over Southern Railroad

Fair

Mercer County, Kentucky · 2.6 MI N of S.Jct W/Ky 33 · Structure no. 084B00046N

Built: 2000; 25 years old
Condition: Fair; inspected August 2024
Type: Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder; Prestressed Concrete Continuous
Length: 246 ft; 3 main spans
Daily traffic: 355; 2023 count
Owner: State; State Highway Agency

About this bridge

KY-342 over Southern Railroad is a prestressed concrete continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying KY-342 over Southern Railroad in Mercer County, Kentucky. It was built in 2000, so it is 25 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 355 vehicles a day, projected to reach 355 by 2043. The structure is 246 ft (75 m) long and 40 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

No coordinates are recorded for this structure.

CarriesKY-342

CrossesSouthern Railroad

Location2.6 MI N of S.Jct W/Ky 33

RouteState Highway 342

CountyMercer County

StateKentucky

Functional classRural Local

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	8 Very Good	No problems noted.
Substructure	8 Very Good	No problems noted.

Last inspectionAugust 2024

Inspection intervalevery 48 months

Operating statusOpen, no restriction

ScourBridge not over waterway

Structural evaluation8: Equal to present desirable criteria

Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria

Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria

Operating rating67.8 US tons

Inventory rating42.4 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder

MaterialPrestressed Concrete Continuous

DeckConcrete, cast-in-place

Main spans3

Design loadHS 25 or greater

Structure length246 ft (75 m)

Longest span102 ft (31 m)

Deck width40 ft (12.3 m)

Roadway width37 ft (11.4 m)

Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic355 (2023)

Projected traffic355 by 2043

Trucks0%

Lanes on structure2

Traffic directionTwo-way traffic

CarriesHighway

CrossesRailroad

Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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—

NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was KY-342 over Southern Railroad built?

It was built in 2000, making it 25 years old in 2025.

What condition is KY-342 over Southern Railroad 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 August 2024.

How much traffic does KY-342 over Southern Railroad carry?

About 355 vehicles per day (2023 count).

How long is KY-342 over Southern Railroad?

The structure is 246 ft (75 m) long with a longest span of 102 ft (31 m) and a deck 40 ft wide.

Who owns KY-342 over Southern Railroad?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.