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

I - 65 SOUTH

Fair

Over: I 459

I 459/I 65 INTERCHANGE, Jefferson, AL

Built 1977 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 56,815

CO HIGHWAY NO 140

Fair

Over: BIG CREEK

0.25 MI WEST OF US HWY 82, Tuscaloosa, AL

Built 1978 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 2,500

CO HIGHWAY NO 140

Fair

Over: SIPSEY RIVER RELIEF

1.2 MI WEST OF BUHL, Tuscaloosa, AL

Built 1978 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 600

CO HIGHWAY NO 140

Fair

Over: SIPSEY RIVER RELIEF

1.3 MI WEST OF BUHL, Tuscaloosa, AL

Built 1978 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 600

CO HIGHWAY NO 140

Fair

Over: SIPSEY RIVER RELIEF

1.7 MI WEST OF BUHL, Tuscaloosa, AL

Built 1978 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 600

CO HIGHWAY NO 140

Fair

Over: SIPSEY RIVER RELIEF

1.8 MI WEST OF BUHL, Tuscaloosa, AL

Built 1978 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 600

MITCHELL RD.

Fair

Over: HURRICANE CREEK

4 MI SW OF SLOCOMB, Geneva, AL

Built 1982 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 40

C. R. 48

Fair

Over: HOLMES CREEK

7 MILES SE OF SLOCOMB, Geneva, AL

Built 1985 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 50

GRANT ROAD

Fair

Over: WRIGHTS CREEK

5 MILES S OF SLOCOMB, Geneva, AL

Built 1985 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 43

R-J5; AL 53

Fair

Over: I-565

.3 MILE E JCT JORDON LANE, Madison, AL

Built 1990 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 3,209

CO RT 518

Fair

Over: BRANCH

3.5 MILES S.E. OF ELBA, Coffee, AL

Built 1994 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 100

CO RT 518

Fair

Over: BUCKS MILL CREEK

4.8 MILES S. OF ELBA, Coffee, AL

Built 1994 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 60

SPARKMAN DRIVE

Fair

Over: UN-NAMED CREEK

1901 SPARKMAN DRIVE, Madison, AL

Built 1968 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 20,900

RALPH LOOP ROAD

Fair

Over: REED SWAMP CREEK

1.3 MI NE OF JCT US NO 11, Tuscaloosa, AL

Built 1932 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 500

SR 5

Fair

Over: TURKEY CRK.

.9 MI.S. OF KIMBROUGH, Wilcox, AL

Built 1940 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 2,700

COFFEE ST.

Fair

Over: MASSEY BRANCH

JACKSONVILLE, Calhoun, AL

Built 1955 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 550

Cr 112

Fair

Over: DORSEY CREEK

Cr 112, Cullman, AL

Built 1956 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 30

SUTTON BRIDGE RD.

Fair

Over: UT TO BIG WILLS CREEK

200 N. OF STEELE STATION, Etowah, AL

Built 1956 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 10,500

I-65 NB

Fair

Over: BUSHY CREEK

2.6 MI N JCT SR 41, Conecuh, AL

Built 1958 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 11,862

SR 210 MP 12.793

Fair

Over: A.*S.A. BAY LINE R.R.

0.8 MI.E. US 231 S, Houston, AL

Built 1958 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 13,475

SR 210 MP 12.793

Fair

Over: A.*S.A. BAY LINE R.R.

0.8 MI.E. US.231S, Houston, AL

Built 1958 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 13,475

JC#3

Fair

Over: LICK FORK CREEK

0.65 MI N JCT SR 65, Jackson, AL

Built 1960 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 70

AL-118

Fair

Over: Lost Creek

.6 M. WEST I-22, Walker, AL

Built 1960 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 3,000

US 45

Fair

Over: CRYSTAL SPRINGS BRANCH

1 MI N SR 213, Mobile, AL

Built 1931 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 3,126

I - 20

Fair

Over: NORFOLK SOUTHERN

.1 MI W. RIVERSIDE EXIT, St. Clair, AL

Built 1961 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 43,320

I - 59 NORTH

Fair

Over: GULF CK

I 59 * GULF CK, St. Clair, AL

Built 1961 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 10,590

I85 SBL

Fair

Over: CALEBEE CREEK

3.18 MI.N.OF SHORTER EXIT, Macon, AL

Built 1963 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 17,790

CO RT 1

Fair

Over: CLEAR CREEK

2.4MI N JCT SR 65, Jackson, AL

Built 1965 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 18

CO RD 797

Fair

Over: RED RIVER BRANCH

2 MI N CO RT 140 T4 R10, DeKalb, AL

Built 1965 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 72

County Road 68

Fair

Over: Dickenson Creek

4 MILES NE WINFIELD, Marion, AL

Built 1919 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 240

CR 155

Fair

Over: BRANCH

1.45 MI NW JCT CR 45, Jackson, AL

Built 1966 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 25

HOLMES AVE

Fair

Over: UAH LOOP

HOLMES AVE * UAH LOOP, Madison, AL

Built 1968 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 9,300

I 65

Fair

Over: SOUTHERN RR

1 MI N JCT I 65 & I 565, Limestone, AL

Built 1970 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 12,830

I 65

Fair

Over: SOUTHERN RR

1 MI N JCT I 65 & I 565, Limestone, AL

Built 1970 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 12,830

US 331

Fair

Over: SCLRR

7.4MI.S.SOU.BY-PASS, Montgomery, AL

Built 1970 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 2,655

CR 95

Fair

Over: HIDGON CREEK

10 MI S JCT SR 71, Jackson, AL

Built 1973 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 180

COUNTY DIRT RD

Fair

Over: FEAGIN CREEK

Preacher Barfoot Rd, Covington, AL

Built 1935 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 80

F.A.S.06

Fair

Over: COPPERAS CREEK

.5 MI N ANTIOCH ON F.A.S6, Bibb, AL

Built 1977 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 60

COUNTY RT #77

Fair

Over: LUBBUB CREEK

0.6 MI E OF JCT SR 17, Pickens, AL

Built 1977 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 300

COUNTY DIRT RD

Fair

Over: BUCK CREEK

Patterson Road, Covington, AL

Built 1927 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 110

CR 518

Fair

Over: BRANCH

Cr 518, Cullman, AL

Built 1978 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 115

CO RD 48

Fair

Over: STREAM INTO MUD CREEK

0.3 SW JCT CO 95, Franklin, AL

Built 1949 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 1,688

COUNTY ROAD NO 40

Fair

Over: JACK CREEK

RCDG BRIDGE ON FAS RT. 18, Henry, AL

Built 1979 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 300

COUNTY RD. NO.40

Fair

Over: CHOCTAWHATCHEE RIVER

RCDG MAIN BR. ON FAS 18, Henry, AL

Built 1979 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 300

COUNTY DIRT RD

Fair

Over: NO NAME BRANCH

Driver Road, Covington, AL

Built 1948 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 80

COUNTY ROAD 53

Fair

Over: ABBIE CREEK

RCDG BRIDGE ON FAS RT. 01, Henry, AL

Built 1981 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 300

I - 20/59

Fair

Over: AL - 269

I-59*AL 269, Jefferson, AL

Built 1966 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 97,900

I-85

Fair

Over: MOORES CK * ABANDONED RR

1.8 MI N FAIRFAX RD, Chambers, AL

Built 1989 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 20,425

CO RD 39

Fair

Over: ROCK CREEK

1 MI N JCT CO RD 14, Winston, AL

Built 1989 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 200

R25E (R6E-R9E)

Fair

Over: ABANDONED R.R. TRACK

2.0 MI E JCT I565 * SR 53, Madison, AL

Built 1991 Load: 27.1 t ADT: 10,710

Showing 3,601-3,650 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.