Total bridges
746
Public highway bridges in Mecklenburg County
County profile · official public datasets
Mecklenburg County, NC
746 public highway bridges tracked in the FHWA National Bridge Inventory: 46.4% rated Good, 51.1% Fair, 2.5% Poor.
- 746
- Public bridges
- 46.4%
- Good condition
- 2.5%
- Poor condition
The verdict
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory.
Mecklenburg County posts a top-quartile lowest Poor-condition share among rated counties in the state across large county bridge inventory.
- Top 22%
- lowest Poor share in state
- 2.5%
- Poor-condition share
- 746
- public highway bridges
- 1989
- avg year built
Poor is an FHWA condition category from the lowest applicable component rating (4 or below), not a live crossing-safety or closure decision. Rankings cover counties with at least five public highway bridges.
Mecklenburg County Bridge Snapshot
According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, Mecklenburg County ranks #22 of 100 North Carolina counties with at least 5 public highway bridges on Poor-condition share (lower share ranks better; currently 2.5%). Mecklenburg County, North Carolina contains 746 public highway bridges. Roughly 46.4% are rated “Good,” 51.1% “Fair,” and 2.5% “Poor.” Poor means the lowest applicable deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert rating is 4 or below on the 0–9 NBI scale. It is a condition category, not a live safety or closure decision.
Responsible agencies inspect covered bridges on risk-based intervals under current NBIS rules and submit inventory data to FHWA annually. The list below shows every NBI-tracked bridge in the county. Use the “Sort by” controls to change the ordering, and click any row for its reported inspection date, traffic count, and condition fields.
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory. See methodology for full definitions.
Good condition
46.4%
346 of 746 rated 7-9
Fair condition
51.1%
381 of 746 rated 5-6
Poor condition
2.5%
19 of 746 rated 4 or below
In-state Poor-share rank
#22 of 100
Among North Carolina counties with 5+ bridges, lower share ranks better
Condition distribution
Share of 746 NBI-tracked bridges by lowest applicable component rating.
Good 46.4% (346)
Fair 51.1% (381)
Poor 2.5% (19)
Mecklenburg County's Poor-condition bridges carry 564,250 vehicle crossings a day
That is 2.9% of the county's reported daily bridge traffic on 2.5% of its bridges: Poor-condition structures carry more traffic than their share of the inventory. Each Poor bridge averages 29,697 crossings a day against 21,183 for a Good-condition one. A Poor rating is a condition category, not a closure or a live safety judgement; it means the lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below.
Computed over the 746 of 746 bridges in this county that report an average daily traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
27.2% of Mecklenburg County's bridges have passed the 50-year mark
203 of the 746 bridges with a recorded construction year were built in 1974 or earlier. Age alone is not a defect: a well-maintained older bridge can rate Good, and 46.4% of this county's inventory does. Even so, this older cohort is the population from which future Poor ratings are drawn, which is why the age profile below matters alongside the condition split above.
Cutoff derives from the 2024 release year minus a 50-year design life. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
One structure carries 20.4% of the county's Poor-condition bridge traffic
I277 & NC16 over US29/NC49 (GRAHAM ST.), built 1971, carries 115,000 vehicles a day, the most of any Poor-rated structure here. The county's Poor-condition exposure is concentrated rather than evenly spread, so the 19-bridge count understates how much of the daily burden sits on a single crossing.
Share is of the 564,250 daily crossings on Poor-rated bridges that report a traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
When Mecklenburg County's bridges were built
746 bridges with a recorded construction year, grouped by decade
- 1920s 4
1920–1929
4 bridges
- 1930s 7
1930–1939
7 bridges
- 1940s 10
1940–1949
10 bridges
- 1950s 45
1950–1959
45 bridges
- 1960s
1960–1969
60 bridges
- 1970s
1970–1979
115 bridges
- 1980s
1980–1989
102 bridges
- 1990s
1990–1999
140 bridges
- 2000s
2000–2009
131 bridges
- 2010s
2010–2019
114 bridges
- 2020s 18
2020–2029
18 bridges
What this shows Construction peaked in the 1990s, when 140 of the county's bridges still in the inventory were built, which is 18.8% of those with a recorded year. That cohort is now 25 to 34 years old in the 2024 inventory. Its average build year (1989) matches the North Carolina average (1986).
How Mecklenburg County compares with North Carolina's closest counties by inventory size
The 5 North Carolina counties nearest Mecklenburg County in number of bridges, with their condition splits. Its 2.5% Poor share is the 2nd-lowest of these 6. Its average build year of 1989 against a peer-group mean of 1987 is in line with the group.
Showing the 5 closest of 99 North Carolina counties eligible for comparison.
| County | Bridges | Good | Fair | Poor | Avg. built |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wake County | 760 | 53.8% | 40.4% | 5.8% | 1992 |
| Mecklenburg County (this page) | 746 | 46.4% | 51.1% | 2.5% | 1989 |
| Guilford County | 736 | 51.8% | 42.9% | 5.3% | 1990 |
| Buncombe County | 555 | 34.6% | 58.4% | 7% | 1978 |
| Forsyth County | 454 | 41.2% | 49.8% | 9% | 1985 |
| Randolph County | 401 | 45.6% | 52.9% | 1.5% | 1988 |
Each share is of that county's own total tracked bridges; peers are the counties with 5 or more bridges whose inventory size is closest to Mecklenburg County's. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.
Nationwide counties with similar inventory size or average build year
Two NBI-derived peer sets for Mecklenburg County, both outside North Carolina so the neighborhoods are not the same-state size table above.
Similar inventory size
Nearest county inventories outside NC (746 bridges here).
- Fairfax County, VA · 751 bridges
- Sacramento County, CA · 740 bridges
- Champaign County, IL · 727 bridges
- Pulaski County, AR · 721 bridges
Similar average build year
Nearest mean year-built outside NC (1989 here).
- Harris County, TX · avg 1989 · 4,029 bridges
- Buffalo County, NE · avg 1989 · 459 bridges
- Brazos County, TX · avg 1989 · 370 bridges
- Dubuque County, IA · avg 1989 · 346 bridges
Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release. Peers floor at 10 bridges so stub inventories cannot own the match.
All bridges (746)
SHAMROCK DRIVE
FairOver: BRIAR CREEK
0.2 MI.E.JCT.EASTWAY DR., Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1970 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 19,500
IDLEWILD ROAD
FairOver: CAMPBELL CREEK
.04 MI.W.JCT.IDLEBROOK RD, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1991 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 26,000
COLONY ROAD
FairOver: BRIER CREEK
200E.JCT.PICARDY PLACE, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 6,500
I77 NBL & RAMP
FairOver: CALDWELL STATION CREEK
0.2 MI. N. JCT. SR2145, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1975 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 36,500
SR5901
FairOver: TAGGART CREEK
0.3 MI. S. JCT. SR1490, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 52,500
I485
FairOver: STONEY CREEK
0.55 MI.N. JCT. US29, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1967 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 96,500
SR4886
FairOver: IRWIN CREEK
0.3 MI. E. JCT. US29, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1970 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,200
I277 RAMP
FairOver: IRWIN CREEK
0.05 MI. N. JCT. I77, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1970 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 7,462
I277 RAMP
FairOver: IRWIN CREEK
0.1 MI. N. JCT. I-77, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1970 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 7,462
US21
FairOver: UT TO DIXON BRANCH
0.9 MI. S. JCT. SR2116, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1955 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 15,000
NC16
FairOver: STEWART CREEK
1 MI. S. JCT. I85, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1972 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 58,000
NC27
FairOver: STEWARTS CREEK
0.2 MI. W. JCT. US29, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1951 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 32,500
SR5901 RAMP
FairOver: IRWIN CREEK
0.1 MI. S. JCT. SR1256, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1988 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,100
SR5901 RAMP
FairOver: TAGGART CREEK
0.1 MI. N. JCT. SR1256, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1988 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,400
SR3624 NBL
FairOver: FOURMILE CREEK
0.8 MI. S. JCT. NC51, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1992 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 15,500
SR3624 SBL
FairOver: FOUR MILE CREEK
0.8 MI. S. JCT. NC51, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1992 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 14,000
I485 & SR5436
FairOver: KINGS BRANCH
0.9 MI. N. JCT. US521, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1993 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 122,000
US521
FairOver: UT TO MCALPINE CREEK
0.2 MI. S. JCT. I485, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1996 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 59,000
SR5383
FairOver: DOBY CREEK
0.3 MI. W. JCT. I85, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 2002 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 17,500
I485
FairOver: TIGER BRANCH
0.35 MI. S. JCT. US29, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 2006 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 108,000
I485 NBL RAMP
FairOver: TIGER BRANCH
0.2 MI. S. JCT. US29, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 2006 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 28,750
I85 RAMP
FairOver: PAW CREEK
1.65 MI. S. JCT. SR1641, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 2005 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 18,500
I485
FairOver: PAW CREEK
1.0 MI. N. JCT. US29/74, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 2005 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 76,000
I85 NBL RAMP
FairOver: PAW CREEK
0.9 MI. N. JCT. SR1625, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 2005 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 11,175
I485
FairOver: UT TO BACK CREEK
1.4 MI. S. JCT. NC49, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 2003 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 82,000
SR2713
FairOver: MALLARD CREEK
0.2 MI. W. JCT. SR2699, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1985 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 12,000
I485 NBL
FairOver: NC27 CSX RAILROAD
2.7 MI. S. JCT. NC16, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 2009 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 35,000
I485 SBL
FairOver: LONG CREEK
1.3 MI. N. JCT. NC27, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 2010 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 35,000
US29/74
FairOver: TAGGART CREEK
0.1 MI. W. JCT. SR1658, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 30,000
BREVARD STREET
FairOver: LITTLE SUGAR CREEK
0.2 MI.E.JCT.EAST 25TH ST, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,800
BALLANTYNE CORP.PL
FairOver: MCALPINE CK.TRIBUTARY
.25MI.E.JCT.BRIXHAM HILL, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1993 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,000
HIGHLAND CRK.PKWY
FairOver: CLARK CK.TRIBUTARY
0.2MI.S.JCT.CAMBELLTON DR, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 800
SR5316
FairOver: TOBY CREEK
0.1 MI. E. JCT. NC49, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1980 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 14,250
BELMONT AVENUE
FairOver: UT TO LITTLE SUGAR CREEK
200 E JCT N ALEXANDER ST, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 2013 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,000
WILMORE DRIVE
FairOver: IRWIN CREEK
100 N. JCT WOODDALE TERR, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 2003 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,000
SEIGLE AVENUE
FairOver: UT TO LITTLE SUGAR CREEK
100 N JCT GREEN TRAIL LN, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 2009 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 12,000
KENILWORTH AVENUE
FairOver: UT TO LITTLE SUGAR CREEK
200 N JCT PEARL PARK WAY, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1994 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 29,000
ERINSHIRE ROAD
FairOver: MCMULLEN CREEK
200 W JCT DONCASTER DR, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1969 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,400
BARLOWE ROAD
FairOver: STEWART CREEK
0.02MI N JCT. DEWOLFE ST., Mecklenburg, NC
Built 2019 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 100
US21
FairOver: I77
0.15 MI. E. JCT. SR2195, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1976 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 27,000
IDLEWILD ROAD
FairOver: MCALPINE CREEK
200` E.JCT.BRAEWICK PLACE, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1979 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 16,000
US21
FairOver: SR2004
0.52 MI. N. JCT. SR2695, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1955 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 14,000
CLANTON ROAD
FairOver: I77
1.1 MI. E. JCT. NC49, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1970 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 20,000
SR1009
FairOver: MCALPINE CREEK
2.0 MI. N. JCT. NC51, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1986 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 28,500
I485
FairOver: BR. OF MCALPINE CREEK
2.4 MI. N. JCT. NC51, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1994 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 100,000
I485 US74 RAMP FLY
FairOver: I485
0.4 MILES W. JCT. US74, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1997 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 21,500
I85 NBL RAMP
FairOver: I85 NBL RAMP
0.4 MI. N. JCT. SR1625, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 2005 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 32,500
I277 & NC16 SBL
FairOver: I77/US21 NBL&RAMP 11B
0.6 MI.N.JCT.NC49, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1972 Load: 34.4 t ADT: 62,500
I485 NBL
FairOver: MALLARD CREEK
0.2 MI. S. JCT. US29, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 1999 Load: 34.4 t ADT: 42,750
I485 NBL
FairOver: LONG CREEK
1.3 MI. N. JCT. NC27, Mecklenburg, NC
Built 2010 Load: 34.4 t ADT: 35,000
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges
Every figure on PlainBridges 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. NBI condition categories reflect the latest reported inventory record, not a live safety, closure, or travel decision.