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

I65 SBL

Fair

Over: STREAM

1.8 MI.N.OF AL 97, Lowndes, AL

Built 1965 Load: 31.2 t ADT: 14,090

CO RD 8

Fair

Over: BRAY CREEK

1 MI E LATHAMVILLE T9SR6E, DeKalb, AL

Built 1965 Load: 31.2 t ADT: 269

HALEY BOTTOMS RD

Fair

Over: LOST CREEK

1 MILE W KANSAS, Walker, AL

Built 1976 Load: 31.2 t ADT: 80

FAUST AVE

Fair

Over: STREAM

OZARK, Dale, AL

Built 1977 Load: 31.2 t ADT: 1,440

US 82

Fair

Over: BRANCH

1.4 MI.E.OF MIDWAY, Bullock, AL

Built 1929 Load: 31.2 t ADT: 1,310

AL-86

Fair

Over: Tombigbee River

1.5 MI W Pickensville, Pickens, AL

Built 1984 Load: 31.2 t ADT: 1,653

US 31

Fair

Over: CSX RR

1.5 MI N CO RD 5, Escambia, AL

Built 1985 Load: 31.2 t ADT: 4,614

AL 110

Fair

Over: LINE CREEK RELIEF #1

.04 MI. E. OF CO.RD.185, Bullock, AL

Built 1993 Load: 31.2 t ADT: 2,740

SR 104

Fair

Over: FISH RIVER

5.4 MI E US 98, Baldwin, AL

Built 1993 Load: 31.2 t ADT: 10,078

AL-13

Fair

Over: NS Railroad

NS RR Eutaw, Greene, AL

Built 2003 Load: 31.2 t ADT: 5,741

CR 521

Fair

Over: CREEK

05 MILES FROM CR8, Jackson, AL

Built 1940 Load: 31.2 t ADT: 10

SR 17

Fair

Over: BRANCH

10.6 MI.N.OF MOBILECO.LN., Washington, AL

Built 1939 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 1,240

BYLER ROAD

Fair

Over: MALLARD CREEK

1 MILE N ELDRIDGE, Walker, AL

Built 1962 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 330

US 43

Fair

Over: 12 Mile Bend Slough

2.5 MI S FORKLAND, Greene, AL

Built 1931 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 3,740

CO.RD 88

Fair

Over: BUCK CREEK

SPRING HILL, Autauga, AL

Built 1991 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 56

CODY RD

Fair

Over: LUXAPALLILA TRIBUTARY

2.3 MI. N.E. CO. RD. 49, Lamar, AL

Built 1954 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 130

US 84

Fair

Over: TOMBIGBEE RIVER REL.

1 MI. W. OF COFFEEVILLE, Choctaw, AL

Built 1958 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 1,690

COUNTY ROAD 2254

Fair

Over: GIBSON MILL BRANCH

SEC 18 T8N R21E, Pike, AL

Built 1958 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 140

TIMBERCREST DR

Fair

Over: PINHOOK CREEK

3600 TIMBERCREST DR, Madison, AL

Built 1961 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 500

AL 215

Fair

Over: GM&O * NS RR Active

STAFFARD ELEM. SCHOOL, Tuscaloosa, AL

Built 1962 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 30,383

RAMP TO US 280

Fair

Over: WATER * GAS MAINS

US 280 * AL 149, Jefferson, AL

Built 1964 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 11,643

COUNTY ROAD 5513

Fair

Over: WHITEWATER CREEK

SEC 33 T10N R22E, Pike, AL

Built 1965 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 250

I65 SBL

Fair

Over: PANTHER CREEK

0.5 MI.N.OF AL.106, Butler, AL

Built 1967 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 12,995

I65 NBL

Fair

Over: PANTHER CREEK

0.5 MI.N.OF AL.106, Butler, AL

Built 1967 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 12,995

WARES FERRY RD

Fair

Over: MONTGOMERY EAST DITCH

0.16 MI N OF PINEBROOK DR, Montgomery, AL

Built 1969 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 2,800

RADCLIFF ROAD

Fair

Over: GUNNISON CREEK

0.5 MI W US 43, Mobile, AL

Built 1970 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 2,334

RADCLIFF ROAD

Fair

Over: SEYMORE CREEK

0.3 MI W US 43, Mobile, AL

Built 1970 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 2,334

WASHINGTONFERRY RD

Fair

Over: WEST END DITCH

0.6 MI E US.31, Montgomery, AL

Built 1974 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 175

RICETOWN ROAD

Fair

Over: JAMES CREEK

3 1/2 MI W OF BLOUNT SPRI, Blount, AL

Built 1977 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 210

I - 459 NORTH

Fair

Over: SHADES CK

I459 * SHADES CK, Jefferson, AL

Built 1982 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 26,365

COUNTY ROAD 13

Fair

Over: JUDY CREEK

SEC-10 T-7-N R-24-E, Dale, AL

Built 1983 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 506

COUNTY ROAD 90

Fair

Over: PANTHER CREEK

HARRY BOOKER ROAD, Conecuh, AL

Built 1984 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 130

I 565

Fair

Over: LIMESTONE SLOUGH

2.9 MI E JCT I 565 & I 65, Limestone, AL

Built 1987 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 25,775

I 565

Fair

Over: LIMESTONE SLOUGH

2.9 MI E JCT I 565 & I 65, Limestone, AL

Built 1987 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 25,775

SR 28

Fair

Over: WATKINS CREEK

4.2MI.E.OF LINDEN, Marengo, AL

Built 1988 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 1,710

SR 28

Fair

Over: MICHIGAN CREEK

.5MI.W.OF THOMASTON, Marengo, AL

Built 1988 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 1,380

COUNTRYSIDE LANE

Fair

Over: MONTGOMERY EAST DITCH

0.14 MI.N.OF WARESFERRY, Montgomery, AL

Built 1988 Load: 31.3 t ADT: 50

SR 59

Fair

Over: WATSON CREEK

6.5 MI N JCT I-65, Baldwin, AL

Built 1926 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 1,501

SR 5

Fair

Over: BIG GOOSE CREEK

2.4 MI.S.OF LAMISON, Wilcox, AL

Built 1938 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 1,840

COUNTY ROAD 2290

Fair

Over: OGLETREE BRANCH

SEC 9 T8N R20E, Pike, AL

Built 1987 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 350

SR 9

Fair

Over: KETCHEPEDRAKEE CREEK

9.5 MI N LINEVILLE, Clay, AL

Built 1925 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 2,313

SR 9

Fair

Over: ARMSTRONG CREEK

10.5 MI N LINEVILLE, Clay, AL

Built 1925 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 2,792

US 31

Fair

Over: SANDY CREEK

1.0 MI S OF VERBENA, Chilton, AL

Built 1925 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 3,290

Lee Road 379

Fair

Over: TURKEY CREEK

0.5 MI N S 001, Lee, AL

Built 1952 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 3,884

CO RD NO 26

Fair

Over: DRY CREEK

1 MILE NORTH LAMAR CO LIN, Marion, AL

Built 1900 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 240

I - 20/59

Fair

Over: CREEK

4.9 MI NO JEFF TUSCCO LN, Jefferson, AL

Built 1955 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 43,380

COUNTY ROAD 45

Fair

Over: DOUBLE CREEK

SEC 14 T11 R23, Bullock, AL

Built 1955 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 300

CO. ROAD NO. 112

Fair

Over: HAYDEN BRANCH

RC CULVT. ON FAS RT12, Henry, AL

Built 1968 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 120

US 90 TO I10 WB

Fair

Over: I-10EB * WB * WB ON RAMP

EAST TUNNEL INTERCHANGE, Mobile, AL

Built 1973 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 8,186

I-459 SOUTH

Fair

Over: SEABOARD COAST LINERR

I459 * SEABOARD COASTLNRR, Jefferson, AL

Built 1979 Load: 31.4 t ADT: 28,675

Showing 4,851-4,900 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.