State profile · Below median Poor share

Alabama bridge safety

According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, condition ratings, load ratings, and Poor-condition shares for every public highway bridge in Alabama.

16,205
Public bridges
37.0%
Good condition
3.4%
Poor condition

Alabama holds 16,205 public highway bridges (#15 of 52 by inventory) with a 3.35% Poor share (#43 of 52 by Poor share).

That is 3.4% of the state's inventory, against an average of 7.5% across the 54 states and territories with Poor-rated bridges on file, which places it 10 of 54 ordered from the lowest Poor share upward. A bridge is rated Poor when its weakest applicable component scores 4 or below on the inspecting agency's 0-9 scale, so the category is a maintenance and funding signal rather than a closure order or a live crossing-safety verdict.

Inventory: FHWA NBI 2024 · last ETL August 2026

Total Bridges

16,205

Public highway bridges in Alabama

Good Condition

37.0%

5,993 bridges rated 7-9

-13.0pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

3.4%

543 bridges whose lowest applicable component is rated 0-4

-4.2pp vs national avg 7.5%

Alabama vs national bridge condition

Alabama - Good condition share 37.0%
National avg

Share of bridges rated 7-9 on the FHWA 0-9 scale (deck, superstructure, substructure all good).

Alabama - Poor-condition share 11.2%
National avg

Lower is better. Bar maxes at 30% (worst-state ceiling). National average sits at 7.5%.

Alabama in the national condition pattern

Each point is a state or territory in the FHWA NBI; the highlighted point is this profile.

Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Alabama has 16,205 bridges and a 3.4% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #10 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold. Scatter plot of 54 data points. 0%10%20%30%40% 0k20k40k60k Public bridges in inventory (thousands) Poor-condition share (%) AL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.35%AK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.89%AZ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.15%AR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.43%CA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 25.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.91%CO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.82%CT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.72%DE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.26%DC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.95%FL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.79%GA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.59%GU, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.77%HI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.53%ID, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.9%IL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.35%IN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.22%IA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 19.16%KS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.26%KY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.37%LA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 12.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.48%ME, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.41%MD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.56%MA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.88%MI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 11.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.27%MN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.44%MS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.03%MO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.95%MT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.81%NE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.9%NV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.14%NH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.51%NJ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 6.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.01%NM, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.51%NY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 17.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.43%NC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.76%ND, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 10.98%OH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.74%OK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 22.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.7%OR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.61%PA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.58%PR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 13.92%RI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.2%SC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.17%SD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 16.36%TN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 20.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.41%TX, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 56.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.23%UT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.91%VT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.9%VI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 29.17%VA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.39%WA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.45%WV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 7.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 18.64%WI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.52%WY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.51%
Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Alabama has 16,205 bridges and a 3.4% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #10 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold.

Alabama vs all states by public bridge inventory

Where this state's FHWA NBI public-highway bridge count sits among every state and territory on PlainBridges

16,205 15th of 54 higher than 39 of 54 states

States and territories, banded by public bridge inventory size

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more states. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source FHWA National Bridge Inventory · 2024

Read the rank neighborhood for Alabama

The highlighted point is Alabama: 16,205 bridges and 3.35% in Poor condition, rank #10 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The five jurisdictions immediately above and below Alabama on that same Poor-share ordering:

  • Vermont: 2,862 bridges · 2.90% Poor
  • Utah: 3,125 bridges · 2.91% Poor
  • Alabama: 16,205 bridges · 3.35% Poor
  • Virginia: 14,120 bridges · 3.39% Poor
  • Tennessee: 20,379 bridges · 4.41% Poor

The full national sortable table lives on the rankings page.

Material families in Alabama

Exclusive FHWA material families across all 16,205 bridges in this state; continuous variants fold into the parent family. Orthogonal to the Poor-share scatter above.

Who maintains Alabama’s inventory

State agency holds 36.0% of the 16,205 public highway bridges filed under Alabama in the 2024 NBI, the agency-of-record split for this state, not a condition verdict.

When Alabama’s bridges were built

Pre-1950 construction accounts for 15.3% of the 16,205 bridges with a recorded original year in Alabama. Era bands are orthogonal to the Poor-share ranking above.

Condition Distribution

Alabama37%59.7%GoodFairPoor
Bridge inventory deck-condition mix - Alabama (FHWA NBI)

Counties (67)

Autauga 118 Baldwin 381 Barbour 192 Bibb 126 Blount 180 Bullock 136 Butler 189 Calhoun 386 Chambers 185 Cherokee 167 Chilton 189 Choctaw 154 Clarke 155 Clay 129 Cleburne 165 Coffee 216 Colbert 172 Conecuh 224 Coosa 126 Covington 332 Crenshaw 171 Cullman 246 Dale 206 Dallas 225 DeKalb 300 Elmore 202 Escambia 200 Etowah 236 Fayette 186 Franklin 194 Geneva 205 Greene 204 Hale 177 Henry 133 Houston 247 Jackson 314 Jefferson 1068 Lamar 181 Lauderdale 266 Lawrence 215 Lee 214 Limestone 324 Lowndes 157 Macon 177 Madison 710 Marengo 203 Marion 255 Marshall 172 Mobile 612 Monroe 142 Montgomery 596 Morgan 271 Perry 162 Pickens 233 Pike 169 Randolph 165 Russell 205 Shelby 344 St. Clair 183 Sumter 241 Talladega 243 Tallapoosa 149 Tuscaloosa 482 Walker 275 Washington 177 Wilcox 168 Winston 78

Alabama vs nearby ranks

Adjacent states by Poor-condition share (lower share = better)

States are ranked by the share of bridges whose lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below. This describes recorded condition; it does not measure funding effectiveness or live crossing safety. States here sit immediately above and below Alabama on the same metric.

VT

Vermont

2.90% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$2,862

UT

Utah

2.91% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$3,125
Selected

AL

Alabama

3.35% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$16,205

VA

Virginia

3.39% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$14,120

TN

Tennessee

4.41% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$20,379

Bridges Needing Most Attention in Alabama

Six lowest-condition bridges in Alabama, ranked by the portal's composite display score. Inspection intervals are risk-based under current NBIS rules.

COUNTRY CLUB ROAD

Poor

Over: BLACKWATER CREEK

1 MILE EAST HWY 195, Walker, AL

Built 1898 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 400

KINGS MILL ROAD

Poor

Over: LOST CREEK

1 MILE N OAKMAN HWY, Walker, AL

Built 1900 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 150

CAHABA BEACH ROAD

Poor

Over: LITTLE CAHABA RIVER

1.8 MILES NORTH OF US 280, Shelby, AL

Built 1904 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 100

19TH AVE

Poor

Over: MOORES CREEK

VALLEY, Chambers, AL

Built 1910 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 350

ROADWAY

Poor

Over: CO RT 1065 SUCARNOCHEE R

4.0 MI N CO RT 1064, Sumter, AL

Built 1912 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 40

SMITH CHAPEL RD

Poor

Over: MILL CREEK

1 MILE N HWY 78, Walker, AL

Built 1915 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 125

All Bridges in Alabama

SR 3

Fair

Over: TOWN CREEK

.2 MI S JCT SR 3 & SR 2, Limestone, AL

Built 1955 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 7,615

CHEROKEE #99

Fair

Over: MILLS CREEK

6 MI N JCT CO RT 41, Cherokee, AL

Built 1957 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 415

I59

Fair

Over: WHITEHALL BRANCH

3MI N JCT I59 * US11, DeKalb, AL

Built 1960 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 14,558

CO RD #9

Fair

Over: I-85

5.55 MI.N.SHORTER EXIT, Macon, AL

Built 1964 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 1,503

CO.RD.65

Fair

Over: I-85

4.19 MI.N.OF AL.49, Macon, AL

Built 1964 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 735

ADVENT CIRCLE

Fair

Over: I - 59

3.5 MI N CAHABA RIVER, Jefferson, AL

Built 1967 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 1,100

I-20

Fair

Over: SUNNY EVE ROAD

4.6 MI E JCT SR 21, Calhoun, AL

Built 1969 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 22,684

I-20

Fair

Over: SUNNY EVE ROAD

4.6 MI E JCT SR 21, Calhoun, AL

Built 1969 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 22,699

CAMPBELL HILL RD.

Fair

Over: CAMPBELL MILL CK.

4 MI. NW OF CHANCELLOR, Geneva, AL

Built 1969 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 55

CO. PAVED ROAD

Fair

Over: FOSTER CREEK

RC BR CULVT CO RD 79, Henry, AL

Built 1972 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 20

I-10 EB TO US 90

Fair

Over: US 90

EAST TUNNEL INTERCHANGE, Mobile, AL

Built 1973 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 5,088

CO RD 8

Fair

Over: LEWIS CREEK

0.4MI W INT AL229/14 CITY, Elmore, AL

Built 1974 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 1,700

I - 65 SOUTH

Fair

Over: PEAVINE CREEK * SCL RR

I65 * SCL RR, Shelby, AL

Built 1975 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 38,920

I - 65 NORTH

Fair

Over: PEAVINE CK * SCL RR

I65 * SCL RR, Shelby, AL

Built 1975 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 38,920

SR 59

Fair

Over: INTRACOASTAL CANAL

1.9 MI N SR 182, Baldwin, AL

Built 1972 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 47,989

DAVENPORT ST

Fair

Over: BAYOU DE DUCE

200 E ALA 188, Mobile, AL

Built 1978 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 1,925

GREENBRIAR DR

Fair

Over: SAUTY CREEK

0.5 MI S SR 40, DeKalb, AL

Built 1979 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 170

AL 271 TAYLOR RD

Fair

Over: I85 NBL

AUM INTERCHANGE, Montgomery, AL

Built 1980 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 17,965

AL 271 TAYLOR RD

Fair

Over: I85 SBL

AUM INTERCHANGE, Montgomery, AL

Built 1980 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 17,965

I - 459 SOUTH

Fair

Over: SHADES CK

I459 * SHADES CK, Jefferson, AL

Built 1982 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 26,365

I-165 S TO FRTG RD

Fair

Over: BAY BRIDGE RD

I-165 @ BAY BRIDGE RD, Mobile, AL

Built 1993 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 9,603

CR-8

Fair

Over: NORTHINGTON BRANCH

0.1 MI W AL #17, Lamar, AL

Built 1995 Load: 33.8 t ADT: 130

CR33 OLD HWY 31

Fair

Over: WATSON CREEK

CR33 .5 E PROVIDENCE CHUR, Chilton, AL

Built 1925 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 600

US 411

Fair

Over: SPRING CREEK

0.4 MI S GA STATE LINE, Cherokee, AL

Built 1928 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 3,983

CO RD NO 23

Fair

Over: STILL CREEK

SEC 9 T17N R17E, Elmore, AL

Built 1972 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 4,855

U.S. 11

Fair

Over: PARKER CREEK

4.3 MI. S. OF LIVINGSTON, Sumter, AL

Built 1925 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 3,420

AL.110

Fair

Over: PANTHER CREEK RELIEF

2.448MI E. OF BULLOCK CO., Bullock, AL

Built 1952 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 2,740

CO RT 12

Fair

Over: STREAM

2 MI. N.E RAMAM CH, Conecuh, AL

Built 1961 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 150

AL.110

Fair

Over: BRANCH

7 MI E. OF BULLOCK CO., Bullock, AL

Built 1961 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 2,740

CO RT 27

Fair

Over: SHIPPS CREEK

4MI S.E CASTLEBERRY, Conecuh, AL

Built 1962 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 351

I-65 SB

Fair

Over: SR 158 * SR 213

I-65 @ SR 158 * SR 213, Mobile, AL

Built 1967 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 32,099

I-65 NB

Fair

Over: SR 158 * SR 213

I-65 @ SR 158 * SR 213, Mobile, AL

Built 1967 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 32,099

CR-9

Fair

Over: YELLOW CREEK

6.2 MI. S.W. VERNON, Lamar, AL

Built 1970 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 510

MAIN ST BROOKSIDE

Fair

Over: FIVE MILE CREEK

2 BLCKS N BIVENS-BRKSIDE, Jefferson, AL

Built 1971 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 1,055

I - 59 SOUTH

Fair

Over: WALDROP AVE

I 59 * WALDROP AVE, Jefferson, AL

Built 1975 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 20,545

US 431

Fair

Over: NORFOLK SOUTHERN R/R

3.3 MI W JCT US 80, Russell, AL

Built 1981 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 18,690

US 431

Fair

Over: NORFOLK SOUTHERN R/R

3.3 MI JCT US 80, Russell, AL

Built 1981 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 18,690

I-359

Fair

Over: US 43 US 11 NS-RR

1.8 MI N JCT SKYLAND BLVD, Tuscaloosa, AL

Built 1983 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 57,667

CO RD NO 037

Fair

Over: MIDDLE CREEK

SEC 14 T18N R17E, Elmore, AL

Built 1984 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 45

AL 26

Fair

Over: WATERMELON CREEK

1 MI WEST OF SEALE, Russell, AL

Built 1986 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 2,080

I-22

Fair

Over: CR-301

6.41 MI W AL-19 & 4 JCT, Marion, AL

Built 1986 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 13,191

SR21(OLD SR275)

Fair

Over: CSX R.R.

CITY OF TALLADEGA, Talladega, AL

Built 1986 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 10,837

US 98

Fair

Over: SANDY CREEK

3.2 MI E SR 59, Baldwin, AL

Built 1987 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 13,203

AL-118

Fair

Over: Branch

1.4 mile E of Beaverton, Lamar, AL

Built 1926 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 2,283

I-10 WB * EB

Fair

Over: NAVCO RD

1 MI W SR 163, Mobile, AL

Built 1964 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 85,952

ROBERTS RD

Fair

Over: LOG CREEK

1.4 MI E US 45, Mobile, AL

Built 1992 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 1,735

CO RT 12

Fair

Over: COFFEE CREEK

3.6 MILES NE OF AL-183, Perry, AL

Built 1940 Load: 33.9 t ADT: 450

SR 21

Fair

Over: BRANCH

2.6 MI.N.OF FURMAN, Wilcox, AL

Built 1939 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 900

M. L. KING JR AVE

Fair

Over: THREE MILE CREEK

1.6 MI N CLAIRBORNE ST, Mobile, AL

Built 1992 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 7,047

AL.110

Fair

Over: PANTHER CREEK RELIEF

2.351MI.E. OF BULLOCK CO., Bullock, AL

Built 1952 Load: 34.0 t ADT: 2,740

Showing 5,801-5,850 of 16,205 bridges

Related

All states → | National rankings → | Understanding conditions → | Retired SD term explained →
Data sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI), latest released cycle. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI). Poor condition is an inspection-record category, not a closure or unsafe-to-cross designation. Consult the bridge owner for current status.

Understanding Bridge Conditions

How FHWA rates bridge condition on a 0-9 scale.

Check Your Daily Bridges

How to look up bridge condition data for bridges on your route.

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

What to do with this

Use Alabama's inventory picture to drill to a county or a specific span.

  • Browse counties in Alabama and open the highest-Poor shares first. County list
  • See where this state sits among peers on Poor-condition share. State rankings
  • Compare this state with another jurisdiction on the same measures. State compare

NBI condition ratings are inventory snapshots, not live crossing-safety verdicts.

Every figure on PlainBridges is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. Alabama Good/Fair/Poor shares and county rollups on this page are computed from the same NBI extract as the national boards; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2024 NBI release. NBI condition categories reflect the latest reported inventory record, not a live safety, closure, or travel decision.