FHWA NBI 2024 Inspection record Public-domain dataset

NC304

Carrying NC304 over SMITH CREEK

0.7 MI. N. OF JCT NC307, Pamlico, North Carolina

Data updated May 2026

FHWA NBI record, refreshed with each annual release.

Poor
26 t Inventory load rating

Bridge Snapshot: NC304

The NC304 bridge in Pamlico, North Carolina carries NC304 over SMITH CREEK. It was built in 1954, making it 72 years old today. The structure is built primarily of concrete continuous and spans 3 sections, stretching 8.5 meters (28 feet) end to end. Daily traffic averages 1,700 vehicles, placing it in the moderately-trafficked tier of North Carolina bridges. It is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

The latest FHWA inspection records show culvert at 4/9. The weakest component sits in poor condition. Because at least one major component scores 4 or lower, this bridge falls in FHWA's Poor condition category. That category is not a closure order. Its NBI inventory load rating is 26.3 metric tons.

Sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for refresh cadence and NBI release vintage.

How NC304 compares

▼ 17.9
Load rating vs North Carolina average (44.2 t)
Bottom 15%
Lower load rating than 85% of North Carolina bridges
45
Bridges in Pamlico · 8 in Poor condition
NC304 26.3 t
North Carolina average 44.2 t

Live comparison across North Carolina.

Historical Sufficiency Rating

PlainBridge-computed
62.8 / 100 - historical 50–79.9 band
Structural adequacy /55
25.1
Serviceability /30
28.0
Essentiality /15
9.8
Special reductions
0

FHWA discontinued this calculated item; it does not determine current condition, funding eligibility, posting, or closure. How the historical reference is calculated.

Condition Ratings

Culvert
4/9
Poor (1–4)
Inventory Load Rating
26.3 t
NBI inventory level (metric tons)
Overall Condition
Poor

Full 0–9 scale + sufficiency-rating breakdown: how condition ratings work.

Structural Details

Year Built
1954
Material
Concrete Continuous
Number of Spans
3
Structure Length
8.5 m (28 ft)
Owner
State Highway Agency
Avg Daily Traffic
1,700 vehicles/day
Structure Number
000000001370030

How to read this record

NC304 is in the federal Poor condition category. That is a component-based result, not a closure order.

  • NBI condition ratings reflect the latest record in this annual dataset, not a live status. Current routine inspection intervals are risk-based.
  • Understand what Poor condition does and does not mean before drawing conclusions. Poor condition explained
  • Compare NC304 against other structures in Pamlico and across North Carolina. North Carolina bridges
  • Noticed visible damage or a safety concern? Report it to the agency that owns the bridge, or call 911 in an emergency. How to report a bridge

Condition codes come straight from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory and are not a real-time safety judgment. Only the owning agency, a state DOT, county, or other owner, can post, restrict, or close a bridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the condition ratings mean for NC304?

NC304 in Pamlico, North Carolina on the FHWA's 0–9 scale.

How often is NC304 inspected?

NC304's responsible agency sets its routine interval under FHWA's risk-based inspection rules; this page does not expose the scheduled interval. It carries about 1,700 vehicles per day.

What does “structurally deficient” mean in older bridge reports?

FHWA retired that reported status beginning with the 2018 archive. NC304 is currently shown as Poor condition from its component ratings; that category is not a live closure or safety decision.

What is the inventory load rating for NC304?

NC304 has an NBI inventory load rating of 26.3 metric tons.

Who is responsible for maintaining NC304?

NC304 is owned and maintained by State Highway Agency.

How old is NC304 and does age affect safety?

NC304 was built in 1954, making it 72 years old.

Disclaimer: Bridge condition data is from the FHWA NBI and reflects the last reported inspection. A Poor condition rating is not a live declaration that a bridge is closed or unsafe for travel. For current closure, posting, or safety information, contact the responsible transportation agency.

Data sourced from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges

Every figure on PlainBridge is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.