State profile · Below median Poor share

Arkansas 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 Arkansas.

12,974
Public bridges
45.8%
Good condition
5.4%
Poor condition

Arkansas holds 12,974 public highway bridges (#23 of 52 by inventory) with a 5.43% Poor share (#30 of 52 by Poor share).

That is 5.4% 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 23 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

12,974

Public highway bridges in Arkansas

Good Condition

45.8%

5,940 bridges rated 7-9

-4.2pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

5.4%

704 bridges whose lowest applicable component is rated 0-4

-2.1pp vs national avg 7.5%

Arkansas vs national bridge condition

Arkansas - Good condition share 45.8%
National avg

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

Arkansas - Poor-condition share 18.1%
National avg

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

Arkansas 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: Arkansas has 12,974 bridges and a 5.4% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #23 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 (%) AR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.43%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%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: Arkansas has 12,974 bridges and a 5.4% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #23 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.

Arkansas 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

12,974 23rd of 54 higher than 31 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 Arkansas

The highlighted point is Arkansas: 12,974 bridges and 5.43% in Poor condition, rank #23 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The five jurisdictions immediately above and below Arkansas on that same Poor-share ordering:

  • Indiana: 19,495 bridges · 5.22% Poor
  • Kansas: 24,894 bridges · 5.26% Poor
  • Arkansas: 12,974 bridges · 5.43% Poor
  • Washington: 8,474 bridges · 5.45% Poor
  • California: 25,848 bridges · 5.91% Poor

The full national sortable table lives on the rankings page.

Material families in Arkansas

Exclusive FHWA material families across all 12,974 bridges in this state; continuous variants fold into the parent family. Orthogonal to the Poor-share scatter above.

Who maintains Arkansas’s inventory

State agency holds 57.1% of the 12,974 public highway bridges filed under Arkansas in the 2024 NBI, the agency-of-record split for this state, not a condition verdict.

When Arkansas’s bridges were built

Pre-1950 construction accounts for 13.5% of the 12,974 bridges with a recorded original year in Arkansas. Era bands are orthogonal to the Poor-share ranking above.

Condition Distribution

Arkansas45.8%48.8%GoodFairPoor
Bridge inventory deck-condition mix - Arkansas (FHWA NBI)

Arkansas 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 Arkansas on the same metric.

IN

Indiana

5.22% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$19,495

KS

Kansas

5.26% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$24,894
Selected

AR

Arkansas

5.43% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$12,974

WA

Washington

5.45% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$8,474

CA

California

5.91% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$25,848

Bridges Needing Most Attention in Arkansas

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

All Bridges in Arkansas

CR/35 White County

Good

Over: FALL BRANCH

1.70 MI N JCT SH 31, White, AR

Built 1987 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 680

CR 2-AMITY RD

Good

Over: Brnch Ltl Mazarn Creek

4.5 MI SW GARLAND CO LINE, Hot Spring, AR

Built 1988 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 1,339

Old 81 Loop

Good

Over: Creek

0.15 MI E SH 60, Crawford, AR

Built 1989 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 877

CR 45 / KANIS

Good

Over: ALLENS CREEK

2 MI E SH 9, Saline, AR

Built 1989 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 1,079

Propeller/ZG/L0.25

Good

Over: Elm Slough

.25 Miles West Of Us 79, Monroe, AR

Built 1989 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 77

Oua. CR 66 Z-A

Good

Over: WOLF CREEK

.15 MI E JCT SH 7, Ouachita, AR

Built 1990 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 37

Kingston Rd - B

Good

Over: Browns Creek

2.5 MI E JCT SH 27, Yell, AR

Built 1990 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 587

Kingston Rd - B

Good

Over: Creek

3.1 M E Jct SH 27, Yell, AR

Built 1990 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 587

CHENAL PARKWAY

Good

Over: CREEK

4.2 miles West I-430, Pulaski, AR

Built 1990 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 25,229

PANKEY AVE.

Good

Over: ISON CREEK

Btwn WELLS&JOSEPHINE, Pulaski, AR

Built 1990 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 116

Cr-803/Z-F/L-0.53

Good

Over: Creek

.53 Mi No Jct Cr 17 & 38, Lee, AR

Built 1990 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 276

North 35th Street

Good

Over: Tilles Branch Seb. Co.

0.1 MI SO NORTH L ST., Sebastian, AR

Built 1990 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 767

CR 45 KANIS 1.25

Good

Over: CREEK

Kanis at Casey Rd., Saline, AR

Built 1992 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 143

CR 45 KANIS 1.60

Good

Over: CAVE CREEK

Kanis and Cold Spr. Cem., Saline, AR

Built 1992 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 1,079

CR 32-F PAWNEE DR

Good

Over: DODSON CREEK

.6 MI WEST US 67, Saline, AR

Built 1992 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 978

SH 28 - Scott Co.

Good

Over: East Shadley Creek

3.96 MI. E. OKLAHOMA LINE, Scott, AR

Built 1993 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 530

W. 54TH Street

Good

Over: Owl Creek-Washington Co.

0.2 S. SH 16, Washington, AR

Built 1993 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 584

CR/61 Izard Co.

Good

Over: CREEK

3.43 SOUTH SH 56, Izard, AR

Built 1993 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 170

C.R. 27 - C - 7.56

Good

Over: BRANCH OF BODCAW CREEK

05 MI N JCT CO RDS 18&27, Lafayette, AR

Built 1994 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 766

North Tower Rd-CR

Good

Over: Little Lagrue Bayou

1.7 Mi N SH 130-Stuttgart, Arkansas, AR

Built 1996 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 30

Bntville 28th St

Good

Over: DITCH

1.22 MI E JCT SH 71B&28TH, Benton, AR

Built 1996 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 29,683

Cleve CR 47 Z-A

Good

Over: BOYD BRANCH

.5 E SH 63, Cleveland, AR

Built 1997 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 310

MANOR DR.

Good

Over: BRANCH

.02 E JCT BRONCO LN I-1, Pulaski, AR

Built 1998 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 111

Rogers 24th & R R

Good

Over: CREEK

1.3 MI N SH 71B, Benton, AR

Built 1997 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 7,300

Newlon Road

Good

Over: Ditch - Sebastian Co.

0.35 MI.E.OF JCT MUSSETT, Sebastian, AR

Built 1997 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 3,200

MOORE RD Sec I

Good

Over: DRAINAGE DITCH

0.5 MI SO JCT SH 18, Craighead, AR

Built 1998 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 1,377

Wilbur West Rd-CR

Good

Over: Canal

0.2 Mi SE I-530-PineBluff, Jefferson, AR

Built 1999 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 130

Union CR 33 Z-D

Good

Over: Mill Creek

1.13 mi north us 63, Union, AR

Built 2001 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 819

C.R19Possom hollow

Good

Over: BEECH CREEK

3.75 MI. N.W. JCT.S.H 26, Howard, AR

Built 2001 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 224

Mabelvale Pike

Good

Over: Ditch

0.10 M N Main St. (Mblvl), Pulaski, AR

Built 1990 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 8,000

County Road 23

Good

Over: Stream - Seb. Co.

2.6 MI. S.W. OF SH 45 JCT, Sebastian, AR

Built 2002 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 322

Valley Ranch Drive

Good

Over: Creek

0.10 m No. SH 10, Pulaski, AR

Built 2003 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 4,000

Stony Point Rd

Good

Over: Creek

0.2 MI E JCT SH 113, Perry, AR

Built 2002 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 120

Union CR 20 ZONE D

Good

Over: Mill Creek

2.0 MI N JCT CR 33, Union, AR

Built 2002 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 562

Union CR 2 Z-I

Good

Over: creek

0.4 MI N JCT CR 288, Union, AR

Built 2002 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 601

Smokey Lane

Good

Over: Ditch

0.2 Mi N of McCain Blvd., Pulaski, AR

Built 2004 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 5,000

Hogan Rd.

Good

Over: Creek

0.80 MI N JCT SH 60, Faulkner, AR

Built 1996 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 9,647

College Street

Good

Over: Creek

0.50 MI E JCT PRINCE DR, Faulkner, AR

Built 1995 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 9,563

Grant 67-CR

Good

Over: Hurricane Creek

3.49 Mi N SH35-Sheridan, Grant, AR

Built 2003 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 194

Harper Road

Good

Over: Fourche Bayou

1.41 M E SH 365, Pulaski, AR

Built 2004 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 180

CR 66-C Traskwood

Good

Over: Brushy Creek

2 Mi E of Glen Rose, Hot Spring, AR

Built 2005 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 283

CR 66-C Traskwood

Good

Over: Brushy Creek

2 mi E Glen Rose, Hot Spring, AR

Built 2005 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 283

Richards Road

Good

Over: Ditch

0.2 Mi N of McCain Blvd., Pulaski, AR

Built 2004 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 600

CR W230 - C

Good

Over: Ditch # 21

.49 Mi E of CR N423, Mississippi, AR

Built 2005 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 96

UNION CR 4 Z(J)

Good

Over: creek

1.1 MI N JCT CR 7, Union, AR

Built 2004 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 1,200

CR.27-BRICE HORTON

Good

Over: GUM CREEK

4 MI. SOUTH OF DELIGHT, Pike, AR

Built 2005 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 238

CR 829-H(911=W814)

Good

Over: L.H. CHUTE LITTLE RIVER

1.5 MI NW OF BONDSVILLE, Mississippi, AR

Built 2005 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 40

CASEY SPRINGS RD-G

Good

Over: DITCH

0.6 MI E OF STRAWFLOOR, Craighead, AR

Built 1998 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 841

BNT VL BRK SD RD

Good

Over: BRANCH

0.46MI W RAINBOW FARM RD, Benton, AR

Built 2005 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 282

North Ridge Road

Good

Over: Little Maumelle Relief

0.12 M No. SH 10, Pulaski, AR

Built 2006 Load: 23.6 t ADT: 256

Showing 7,751-7,800 of 12,974 bridges

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.

What to do with this

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

  • Browse counties in Arkansas 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. Arkansas 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.