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

CO RT 36

Fair

Over: MILL CREEK

WILCOX, Conecuh, AL

Built 1960 Load: 44.6 t ADT: 100

SR 2

Fair

Over: WEAVER BRANCH

0.3 M W JCT SR 2 & SR207, Lauderdale, AL

Built 1938 Load: 44.6 t ADT: 12,850

US 80

Fair

Over: CHILDERS CREEK

0.5 MI.W.OF AL 219, Dallas, AL

Built 1933 Load: 44.6 t ADT: 6,750

WELLINGTON ROAD

Fair

Over: TALLASSEEHATCHEE CREEK

WELLINGTON RD., Calhoun, AL

Built 2005 Load: 44.6 t ADT: 646

SR 53

Fair

Over: TYRONE CREEK

17 MI N JCT US 72, Madison, AL

Built 1957 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 9,025

US 82

Fair

Over: UT MILL CREEK

0.7MI E HARGROVE RD, Tuscaloosa, AL

Built 1969 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 46,790

I - 20 EAST

Fair

Over: RATLIFF ROAD

I20 * RATLIFF RD, Jefferson, AL

Built 1983 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 35,000

AL-18

Fair

Over: Branch

0.3 MI W of Stough, Fayette, AL

Built 1926 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 1,720

US 80

Fair

Over: CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER

4.7 MI E OF JCT US 431, Russell, AL

Built 1985 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 24,800

US 80

Fair

Over: CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER

4.7 MI E OF JCT US431, Russell, AL

Built 1985 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 24,800

DUNN ROAD

Fair

Over: POPULAR SPRINGS BRANCH

0.5 MI.N.OLD WEBB ROAD, Houston, AL

Built 1986 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 305

COUNTY ROAD 51

Fair

Over: SPARKS CREEK TRIB.

3.6 MI. S. OF WATER OAK, Hale, AL

Built 1986 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 100

AL 223

Fair

Over: EAST BRANCH

2.8MI.N.OF PIKE COLINE, Bullock, AL

Built 1990 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 800

MINOR PARKWAY

Fair

Over: VILLAGE CREEK TRIBUTARY

1 MI N AL 269, Jefferson, AL

Built 1960 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 16,675

SR 21

Fair

Over: CHOCCOLOCCO CREEK

.9 MI S OF OXFORD, Talladega, AL

Built 2006 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 6,790

WALKER RD

Fair

Over: LITTLE SANDY CREEK SPUR

2.1 MI E OF AL 050, Tallapoosa, AL

Built 2002 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 70

MERIDIAN STREET .

Fair

Over: DALLAS CREEK BY-PASS

.25 MILE SOUTH OF I-565, Madison, AL

Built 2010 Load: 44.7 t ADT: 4,600

COUNTY ROAD 72

Fair

Over: U.T. SIKES CREEK

0.8 MI W OF COUNTY 33, Barbour, AL

Built 1962 Load: 44.8 t ADT: 100

I - 459 NORTH

Fair

Over: AL - 7 (US 11)

I 459 * US 11, Jefferson, AL

Built 1970 Load: 44.8 t ADT: 25,205

I - 20 EAST

Fair

Over: US 78 (AL-4)

I 20 * US 78, Jefferson, AL

Built 1974 Load: 44.8 t ADT: 27,875

I - 59 SOUTH

Fair

Over: 83 RD ST

I 59 * 83 RD ST, Jefferson, AL

Built 1976 Load: 44.8 t ADT: 34,590

SR 24

Fair

Over: BEAR CREEK RELIEF 2

2.2 M E JCT SR 24 & SR 19, Franklin, AL

Built 1978 Load: 44.8 t ADT: 2,230

"F" STREET

Fair

Over: CREEK

ANNISTON "F" Street, Calhoun, AL

Built 1983 Load: 44.8 t ADT: 1,200

JACK HIGHTOWER RD

Fair

Over: E FORK CTAWOHEE RIVER

0.5 MI W OF CO 79, Barbour, AL

Built 1986 Load: 44.8 t ADT: 1,265

COUNTY ROAD 38

Fair

Over: BIG SANDY CREEK

SEC 18 T12 R24, Bullock, AL

Built 1988 Load: 44.8 t ADT: 60

US 80 WBL

Fair

Over: CHABA RIVER RELIEF #2

5.2 MI. W. OF AL 219, Dallas, AL

Built 2004 Load: 44.8 t ADT: 2,450

US 80 WBL

Fair

Over: CAHABA RIVER RELIEF NO.1

5.4 MI. W. OF AL 219, Dallas, AL

Built 2004 Load: 44.8 t ADT: 2,450

COUNTY DIRT ROAD

Fair

Over: NO NAME BRACH

Zell Ready Rd., Covington, AL

Built 2005 Load: 44.8 t ADT: 50

NAVCO ROAD

Fair

Over: BOLTON BRANCH

100 SOUTH OF MCVAY DRIVE, Mobile, AL

Built 2008 Load: 44.8 t ADT: 7,844

CR 460

Fair

Over: TANYARD BRANCH

5.5 MI W JCT SR 101, Lawrence, AL

Built 1929 Load: 44.9 t ADT: 4,180

CR-56

Fair

Over: Finikochika Creek

0.76 Mi E of Unity, Coosa, AL

Built 1951 Load: 44.9 t ADT: 327

I-65

Fair

Over: PANTHER CREEK

8 MI N JCT SR 41, Conecuh, AL

Built 1959 Load: 44.9 t ADT: 26,326

US 80

Fair

Over: BRANCH

4.6 MI.W.OF DANELLY FIELD, Montgomery, AL

Built 1927 Load: 44.9 t ADT: 12,590

RAMP 51

Fair

Over: HOLT ST.AND W.JEFF DAVIS

I65 N TO I85 N, Montgomery, AL

Built 1971 Load: 44.9 t ADT: 7,440

CO RT 180

Fair

Over: CANEY CREEK

2.0 MI NE AL 35 T6SR8E, DeKalb, AL

Built 1971 Load: 44.9 t ADT: 916

PAVED ROAD

Fair

Over: FLAT CREEK

0.5 MILE WEST OF CORD 23, Marion, AL

Built 1978 Load: 44.9 t ADT: 40

CR. 5

Fair

Over: REDICKS CREEK

0.5 MI.N. BUTLER SPRINGS, Butler, AL

Built 1990 Load: 44.9 t ADT: 54

DAVIS RD 263-185

Fair

Over: CREEK

4 MI WEST OF AL 185, Lowndes, AL

Built 1992 Load: 44.9 t ADT: 130

US80

Fair

Over: I65

0.7 MI E OF JCT OF US 31, Montgomery, AL

Built 1992 Load: 44.9 t ADT: 14,930

SEMINOLE DR

Fair

Over: DRAINAGE DITCH

250 FT S OF ALLENS TRAIL, Montgomery, AL

Built 1985 Load: 44.9 t ADT: 100

WRIGHT ROAD

Fair

Over: BRAIR BRANCH

WRIGHT RD., Crenshaw, AL

Built 2000 Load: 44.9 t ADT: 310

KOKOMO RD

Fair

Over: BRANCH

LEFT OF AL 0055, Butler, AL

Built 2010 Load: 44.9 t ADT: 350

US11

Fair

Over: BRANCH

1.5 MI N JCT US11*I59, DeKalb, AL

Built 1926 Load: 45.0 t ADT: 2,534

SR 50

Fair

Over: LANDRUM CREEK

12 MI E CAMPHILL, Chambers, AL

Built 1941 Load: 45.0 t ADT: 1,974

Lee Road 318

Fair

Over: BRANCH

2.2 MI NW JCT LEE RD 248, Lee, AL

Built 1950 Load: 45.0 t ADT: 500

AL 171

Fair

Over: SIMMONS BRANCH

0.5 MI N OF MOORES BRIDGE, Tuscaloosa, AL

Built 1956 Load: 45.0 t ADT: 2,345

COUNTY NO 34

Fair

Over: BARNES ROARING CREEK

5 MILES WEST OF HARTFORD, Geneva, AL

Built 1991 Load: 45.0 t ADT: 400

MAUDELAYNE DR.S.

Fair

Over: SPRING BRANCH

700 W DEMOTROPOLISRD, Mobile, AL

Built 1960 Load: 45.0 t ADT: 2,412

IRON MAN ROAD

Fair

Over: NEEL CREEK

5.0 MI NW SR 36, Morgan, AL

Built 1960 Load: 45.0 t ADT: 900

OWENS RD

Fair

Over: ENITACHOPCO CREEK

1.5 M SE HARKINS XROADS, Clay, AL

Built 1967 Load: 45.0 t ADT: 260

Showing 7,701-7,750 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.