US Bridges

KY-39 over Buck Creek

Fair

Pulaski County, Kentucky · 1.4 MI Nor. of JCT Ky 452 · Structure no. 100B00010N

Built
1964
61 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2022
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete Continuous
Length
244 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
1,939
2023 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

KY-39 over Buck Creek is a concrete continuous tee beam carrying KY-39 over Buck Creek in Pulaski County, Kentucky. It was built in 1964, so it is 61 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 1,939 vehicles a day, roughly 8% of them trucks, projected to reach 1,939 by 2043. The structure is 244 ft (74.4 m) long and 31 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

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CarriesKY-39
CrossesBuck Creek
Location1.4 MI Nor. of JCT Ky 452
RouteState Highway 39
CountyPulaski County
StateKentucky
Coordinates37.23417, -84.52944
Functional classRural Major 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 protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJuly 2022
Inspection intervalevery 48 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour above top of footing
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating68.5 US tons
Inventory rating41.1 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadH 20
Structure length244 ft (74.4 m)
Longest span100 ft (30.5 m)
Deck width31 ft (9.4 m)
Roadway width26 ft (7.9 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic1,939 (2023)
Projected traffic1,939 by 2043
Trucks8%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 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-39 over Buck Creek built?

It was built in 1964, making it 61 years old in 2025.

What condition is KY-39 over Buck 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 July 2022.

How much traffic does KY-39 over Buck Creek carry?

About 1,939 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 8% are trucks.

How long is KY-39 over Buck Creek?

The structure is 244 ft (74.4 m) long with a longest span of 100 ft (30.5 m) and a deck 31 ft wide.

Who owns KY-39 over Buck Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.