County profile · official public datasets

Carbon County, PA

134 public highway bridges tracked in the FHWA National Bridge Inventory: 20.9% rated Good, 60.4% Fair, 18.7% Poor.

134
Public bridges
20.9%
Good condition
18.7%
Poor condition

The verdict

According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory.

Carbon County pairs a higher-than-median Poor-condition share among rated counties in the state with an older average build year than the state inventory.

59th
of 67 on Poor share
18.7%
Poor-condition share
134
public highway bridges
1960
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.

Carbon County Bridge Snapshot

According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, Carbon County ranks #59 of 67 Pennsylvania counties with at least 5 public highway bridges on Poor-condition share (lower share ranks better; currently 18.7%). Carbon County, Pennsylvania contains 134 public highway bridges. Roughly 20.9% are rated “Good,” 60.4% “Fair,” and 18.7% “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.

Total bridges

134

Public highway bridges in Carbon County

Good condition

20.9%

28 of 134 rated 7-9

Fair condition

60.4%

81 of 134 rated 5-6

Poor condition

18.7%

25 of 134 rated 4 or below

In-state Poor-share rank

#59 of 67

Among Pennsylvania counties with 5+ bridges, lower share ranks better

Condition distribution

Share of 134 NBI-tracked bridges by lowest applicable component rating.

Good
20.9% (28)
Fair
60.4% (81)
Poor
18.7% (25)

Carbon County's Poor-condition bridges carry 76,950 vehicle crossings a day

That is 8.1% of the county's reported daily bridge traffic on 18% of its bridges: Poor-condition structures carry less traffic than their share of the inventory. Each Poor bridge averages 3,206 crossings a day against 10,336 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 133 of 134 bridges in this county that report an average daily traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.

75.4% of Carbon County's bridges have passed the 50-year mark

101 of the 134 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 20.9% 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 29% of the county's Poor-condition bridge traffic

PA TPK (I-476) over MUD RUN, built 1957, carries 22,283 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 25-bridge count understates how much of the daily burden sits on a single crossing.

Share is of the 76,950 daily crossings on Poor-rated bridges that report a traffic count. Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release.

When Carbon County's bridges were built

134 bridges with a recorded construction year, grouped by decade

bridges

What this shows Construction peaked in the 1960s, when 29 of the county's bridges still in the inventory were built, which is 21.6% of those with a recorded year. That cohort is now 55 to 64 years old in the 2024 inventory. Its average build year is 1960, 10 years older than the Pennsylvania average of 1970.

Source FHWA National Bridge Inventory (year built) As of 2024 NBI release

How Carbon County compares with Pennsylvania's closest counties by inventory size

The 5 Pennsylvania counties nearest Carbon County in number of bridges, with their condition splits. Its 18.7% Poor share is the 4th-lowest of these 6. Its average build year of 1960 against a peer-group mean of 1970 is 10 years older.

Showing the 5 closest of 66 Pennsylvania counties eligible for comparison.

Bridge inventory size and condition shares for Carbon County and the 5 Pennsylvania counties closest to it in inventory size
County Bridges Poor
Fulton County 159 11.9%
Pike County 158 25.9%
Wyoming County 140 22.9%
Carbon County (this page) 134 18.7%
Elk County 127 11%
Sullivan County 119 9.2%

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 Carbon 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 Carbon County, both outside Pennsylvania so the neighborhoods are not the same-state size table above.

Similar inventory size

Nearest county inventories outside PA (134 bridges here).

Similar average build year

Nearest mean year-built outside PA (1960 here).

Source: FHWA National Bridge Inventory, 2024 release. Peers floor at 10 bridges so stub inventories cannot own the match.

All 134 Good 28 Fair 81 Poor 25

Fair-condition bridges (81)

PA 248 (LR163)

Fair

Over: FIRELINE CREEK

BOWMANSTOWN BORO, Carbon, PA

Built 1962 Load: 0.9 t ADT: 17,755

COVERED BRG RD

Fair

Over: HUNTERS CREEK

LITTLE GAP, Carbon, PA

Built 1932 Load: 11.8 t ADT: 750

COVER BRIDGE RD

Fair

Over: PRINCESS CREEK

LITTLE GAP COVERED BRIDGE, Carbon, PA

Built 1880 Load: 19.1 t ADT: 750

I-80 WB (LR 1009)

Fair

Over: SR 1005 LEHIGH R RN RR

EXIT 273 (40) WHITE HAVEN, Carbon, PA

Built 1965 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 11,212

I-80 EB (LR1009)

Fair

Over: SR 1005 LEHIGH R RN RR

EXIT 273 (40) WHITE HAVEN, Carbon, PA

Built 1965 Load: 20.9 t ADT: 11,018

US 209 (LR 162)

Fair

Over: L.C.&N.R.R.{ABND.}

0.5 MI.E.OF LANSFORD, Carbon, PA

Built 1921 Load: 20.9 t ADT: 4,836

PA 248 (LR163)

Fair

Over: POHOPOCO CREEK

PARRYVILLE BORO LINE, Carbon, PA

Built 1962 Load: 20.9 t ADT: 18,532

I-80 EB(LR1009)

Fair

Over: N.E.EXT. PA. TPK(I-476)

I-80 E.B. OVER I-476, Carbon, PA

Built 1965 Load: 22.7 t ADT: 8,087

MERMON AVE

Fair

Over: NESQUEHONING CREEK

MERMON AVE, Carbon, PA

Built 1950 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 1,400

I-80 WB(LR 1009)

Fair

Over: BLACK CREEK

1.5 MI.E.OF TURNPIKE, Carbon, PA

Built 1964 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 8,298

US 209(LR 164)

Fair

Over: POHOPOCO CREEK

HARRITY, Carbon, PA

Built 1968 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 13,004

PA 248 WB CANTILEV

Fair

Over: PA 248 EB(LR 163)

CANTILEVER, Carbon, PA

Built 1962 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 11,920

SR 3001 (LR 13006)

Fair

Over: MAHONING CREEK

5 MI.S.OF SUMMIT HILL, Carbon, PA

Built 1938 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 4,303

SR1003 MOSEYWOODRD

Fair

Over: I-80

MOSEYWOOD RD. OVER I-80, Carbon, PA

Built 1964 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 1,197

I80 WB (LR 1009)

Fair

Over: N.E.EXT.PA.TPK(I-476)

I-80 W.B. OVER I-476, Carbon, PA

Built 1965 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 8,298

US 209 (LR 163)

Fair

Over: NO/SOUT RRS. STS. CANAL

THOMAS J.MCCALL MEM.BRIDG, Carbon, PA

Built 1938 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 26,464

PA902(LR 13008)

Fair

Over: TRIB. TO MAHONING CREEK

MAHONING DRIVE, Carbon, PA

Built 1921 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 3,388

I80 WB (LR1009)

Fair

Over: RAMPS G&H SR 8004

EXIT 277(42)TPKE-PA940, Carbon, PA

Built 1965 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 8,298

PA 940 (LR408)

Fair

Over: LEHIGH RIVER

WHITE HAVEN- E.SIDE BORO, Carbon, PA

Built 1989 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 2,761

SR 4010

Fair

Over: HAZEL CREEK

WEATHERLY, Carbon, PA

Built 1955 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 1,923

I-80 EB (LR 1009)

Fair

Over: BLACK CREEK

1.5 MI.E.OF TURNPIKE, Carbon, PA

Built 1964 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 8,087

T-435 POHOPOCO DR

Fair

Over: PINE RUN/BELTZVILLE LAKE

PINE RUN BRIDGE, Carbon, PA

Built 1968 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 1,240

SR 2002(APPL.1461)

Fair

Over: NORFOLK/SOUTHERN RR

PALMERTON-DELAWARE AVE., Carbon, PA

Built 1962 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 17,902

SR 2009 (LR 13038)

Fair

Over: AQUASHICOLA CREEK

.5 MI. S. OF LITTLE GAP, Carbon, PA

Built 1930 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 3,780

SR 2010 (LR 164)

Fair

Over: LEHIGH RIVER & LEHIGH DR

LEHIGHTON-WEISPORT BOROS, Carbon, PA

Built 1971 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 8,893

SR 2019(LR 163 RP)

Fair

Over: PA248 (LR 163)

BOWMANSTOWN(BANK ST.), Carbon, PA

Built 1962 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 4,011

T-395 SPRNG HSE RD

Fair

Over: MAHONING CREEK

0.2 M.NORTH OF TR 443, Carbon, PA

Built 1989 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 100

DRAKES CREEK ROAD

Fair

Over: DRAKES CREEK

1.7 MI W OF SCHOOL HOUSE, Carbon, PA

Built 1965 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 5

PA 534(LR 13040)

Fair

Over: I-80(LR 1009)

KIDDER TWP-E.SIDE BORO, Carbon, PA

Built 1965 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 1,047

PA 902(LR 510)

Fair

Over: MAUCH CHUNK CREEK

SUMMIT HILL-LAUREL DR., Carbon, PA

Built 1926 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 4,023

HANCOCK-STARLIGHT

Fair

Over: W BR DELAWARE RIV

HANCOCK NY- STARLIGHT PA, Carbon, PA

Built 1937 Load: 31.1 t ADT: 2,421

SR 2019(LR 163 RP)

Fair

Over: NORFOLK/SOUTHERN RR

BOWMANSTOWN(BANK ST.), Carbon, PA

Built 1962 Load: 31.8 t ADT: 4,011

PA 534(LR 13018)

Fair

Over: SANDSPRING RUN

2 MI.S.OF LEHIGH TANNERY, Carbon, PA

Built 1913 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 470

SR 2011 (LR 13015)

Fair

Over: POHOPOCO CREEK

.25 MI. N. OF TRACHSVILLE, Carbon, PA

Built 1967 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 912

SR 3007(LR 13007)

Fair

Over: MAHONING CREEK

SENECA RD. NORTH OF 443, Carbon, PA

Built 1910 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 910

SR 4010(APPL 1012)

Fair

Over: BUCK MOUNTAIN CREEK

ROCKPORT, Carbon, PA

Built 1920 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1,902

T-437

Fair

Over: SAW MILL RUN

1 MILE NORTH RTE 209, Carbon, PA

Built 1970 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1,500

FREDERICKS GRVE RD

Fair

Over: MAHONING CREEK

500N.OF SR 443, Carbon, PA

Built 1910 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 250

ASHTOWN DR.

Fair

Over: MAHONING CREEK

1 MILE NORTH RTE 443, Carbon, PA

Built 1910 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 500

PA TPK (I-476)

Fair

Over: LEHIGH RIVER

CARBON & LUZERNE CO. LINE, Carbon, PA

Built 1955 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 14,889

RIVERVIEW RD

Fair

Over: LIZARD CREEK

0.4 MI S OF W.BOWMANSTOWN, Carbon, PA

Built 1904 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 350

LEHIGH DRIVE

Fair

Over: MAHONING CREEK

SOUTH OF 209/443 @ RIVER, Carbon, PA

Built 2006 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 99

PA 248 (LR 163)

Fair

Over: SR 2002 (APPL.1461)

PA.248 OVER DELAWARE AVE., Carbon, PA

Built 1962 Load: 33.6 t ADT: 23,671

PA 534 (LR 13018)

Fair

Over: DILLDOWN CREEK

0.5 MI.S.OF ALBRIGHTVILLE, Carbon, PA

Built 1938 Load: 34.5 t ADT: 2,317

SR 3007 (LR 13007)

Fair

Over: MAHONING CREEK

SENECA RD. NORTH OF 443, Carbon, PA

Built 1949 Load: 34.5 t ADT: 910

SUMMER MTN. RD

Fair

Over: HUNTERS CREEK

NW OF LITTLE GAP, Carbon, PA

Built 1955 Load: 34.5 t ADT: 90

SERVICE RAMPS A&B

Fair

Over: PA TPK (I-476)

HICKORY RUN S.P., Carbon, PA

Built 1957 Load: 34.5 t ADT: 2,000

SR 4014 (LR 13022)

Fair

Over: BUCK MOUNTAIN CREEK

ROCKPORT RD.@GRIST MILLRD, Carbon, PA

Built 2012 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 135

SR 2004 (LR 13014)

Fair

Over: FIRELINE CREEK

FIRELINE ROAD, Carbon, PA

Built 1950 Load: 35.4 t ADT: 2,084

SR 3006 (LR 13009)

Fair

Over: STEWART CREEK

HEMLOCK DRIVE, Carbon, PA

Built 1936 Load: 35.4 t ADT: 419

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Related

Browse all → | Rankings →
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.