Data Shows Over 100 KY Bridges Could Collapse

Federal records show that more than 100 bridges in Kentucky have advanced deterioration and are at risk of collapsing. The head of the state's transportation agency blames the situation largely on more and heavier traffic than existed when the bridges were built. 

The Associated Press analyzed data involving 607,380 U.S. bridges in the National Bridge Inventory. They are subject to National Bridge Inspection Standards.  

According to the most recently available federal government data, on a national basis, 65,605 bridges fall into the category of  "structurally deficient." More than 20,800 are considered "fracture critical."

Some 7,795 fall into both categories. Experts call that combination particularly problematic.

In Kentucky, the latest federal inventory shows 145 bridges in that red-flag situation. But state officials say 16 of those spans are no longer in both categories.