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

McKinney Road-CR

Good

Over: Waterloo Ditch

1.3 Mi N CR 73-Pastoria, Jefferson, AR

Built 2003 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 75

McKinney Rd-CR 781

Good

Over: Canal

0.84 Mi NE CR720-Sherrill, Jefferson, AR

Built 2004 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 45

Trail 86

Good

Over: Cedar Creek

13.50 MI SW JCT SH 9, Perry, AR

Built 1980 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 40

Trail 86

Good

Over: Little Cedar Creek

14.90 MI SW JCT SH 9, Perry, AR

Built 1980 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 40

Missouri St. (A)

Good

Over: Drainage Ditch

0.5 M E of Jct. SH 139, Craighead, AR

Built 2009 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 113

CR 960 - C

Good

Over: Birch Creek

1.7 MI E Hwy 49 & CR 44, Craighead, AR

Built 2011 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 144

CR 130

Good

Over: Chemin-A-Haut Creek

1.2 Mi N US 82-Hamburg, Ashley, AR

Built 2016 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 112

Union CR 20 Z-D

Good

Over: Creek

3 mi. N Jct Cr 33, Union, AR

Built 2010 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 562

CR 751 - D

Good

Over: Creek

.3 M S of Jct. CR 62, Craighead, AR

Built 2011 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 564

CR-5 Traskwood Rd

Good

Over: Holly Creek

2.51 M W Saline River, Saline, AR

Built 2011 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 433

Kellogg Acres Rd

Good

Over: Miles Creek

1.4 ML NW HWY 107, Pulaski, AR

Built 2012 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 1,068

CR717/Moody Hollow

Good

Over: Caney Creek

.16 Mi N. Jct Col. Glenn, Saline, AR

Built 2013 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 66

CR808-D-Reddman Rd

Good

Over: Hollow Branch

.37m S of Weiner Cutoff, Poinsett, AR

Built 2017 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 40

W Matthews St.

Good

Over: Christian Creek

1.6 M E US 63, Craighead, AR

Built 2012 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 2,903

Bradley CR8 Z-D

Good

Over: CREEK

1.5 MI N JCT CR 16, Bradley, AR

Built 2012 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 215

CR 316-E (911=348)

Good

Over: Ditch

4.0 Mi. SE of BONO, Craighead, AR

Built 2007 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 108

CR 309-E (911=323)

Good

Over: Ditch

1 Mi. W SH 141, Craighead, AR

Built 2008 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 67

W School St

Good

Over: Ditch

.2Mi W of Hwy 49, Craighead, AR

Built 2002 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 320

ArthurKirkRd WHITE

Good

Over: White Oak Creek

1.08 Mi W of US 64, White, AR

Built 2014 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 233

CR 38 (Kanis Rd.)

Good

Over: Little Maumelle Creek

.5 Mi W Ferndale, Pulaski, AR

Built 2017 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 2,800

CR 356 White Co

Good

Over: Ten Mile Creek

1.6 MI E of SH 157, White, AR

Built 2018 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 70

CR 39 / Blair Rd.

Good

Over: Mill Creek

2.95 Mi NE JCT SH 225, Faulkner, AR

Built 2017 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 335

Bryant Parkway

Good

Over: Creek

0.55 miles N of Shobe Rd., Saline, AR

Built 2019 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 4,900

CR 192

Good

Over: Podo Creek

W of Egypt, Craighead, AR

Built 2020 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 70

CR 21 Izard County

Good

Over: CAT CREEK

6.90 SW SH 56, Izard, AR

Built 2021 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 79

CR 328 - E

Good

Over: WHALEY SLOUGH

1 MI NO BONO, Craighead, AR

Built 2021 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 610

CR 931 - C

Good

Over: Drainage ditch

1.8 MI W Schug, Craighead, AR

Built 2021 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 91

CR 7629-D

Good

Over: Creek

0.25 Mi S of CR 762, Craighead, AR

Built 2021 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 25

CR 16 White County

Good

Over: Little Bull Creek

3.11 Mi E SH 5, White, AR

Built 2022 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 350

SH 365-13 LM 0.26

Good

Over: Wildcat Creek

0.26 Mi S PulaskiCo-Hnsly, Grant, AR

Built 1928 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 530

US82 S-5 EB LM21.7

Good

Over: US 167-SEC 1

@ JCT US 82 & US 167, Union, AR

Built 1978 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 5,000

I 440 WB Log 3.44

Good

Over: LITTLE ROCK PORT RR

3.3MI E OF US 65, Pulaski, AR

Built 1976 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 2,500

I-555SB-02-LM 28.4

Good

Over: SH 69

1.65 MI W SH463, Poinsett, AR

Built 1993 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 7,000

I-49 SB 0.58

Good

Over: WEST FORK KELLY BAYOU

0.58 MI N OF LA LINE, Miller, AR

Built 2014 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 3,000

US82-S5 WB LM21.77

Good

Over: US 167-SEC 1

@ JCT US 82 & US 167, Union, AR

Built 1978 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 5,000

I 440 EB Log 3.44

Good

Over: LITTLE ROCK PORT RR

3.3 MI E OF US 65, Pulaski, AR

Built 1976 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 51,308

I-555NB-02-LM28.46

Good

Over: SH 69

1.63 MI W SH 463, Poinsett, AR

Built 1993 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 7,000

I-49 NB 0.57

Good

Over: WEST FORK KELLY BAYOU

0.57 MI N OF LA LINE, Miller, AR

Built 2014 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 3,000

US 62-19- LM 8.82

Good

Over: DITCH

3.81 M W OF US 67, Randolph, AR

Built 1939 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 5,194

SH 160-12 LM 7.79

Good

Over: Ditch

4.1 Mi W US 65-Chicot Jct, Chicot, AR

Built 1968 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 450

SH 189 S-1 LM 4.53

Good

Over: CREEK

4.68 MI SE JCT SH 97, Cleveland, AR

Built 1967 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 240

SH 189 S-1 LM 7.89

Good

Over: CREEK

8.15 MI SE JCT SH 97, Cleveland, AR

Built 1967 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 336

SH 291-01 LM 3.61

Good

Over: Polk Creek

2.2 Mi S US 270-Prattsvil, Grant, AR

Built 1969 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 320

SH140 MEDIAN/DIANE

Good

Over: Median Ditch

.5 MI WEST OF OSCEOLA, Mississippi, AR

Built 1989 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 10,000

SH 5-8 Log 4.66

Good

Over: CREEK

3.17 MI SW PULASKI CO LIN, Saline, AR

Built 2018 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 11,000

AR Hwy 91

Good

Over: White Oak Slough

1.63 MI S JCT412&91, Lawrence, AR

Built 2022 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 2,700

Hwy 141

Good

Over: DITCH NO. 10

N of Boydsville, Clay, AR

Built 2022 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 430

Sh-39/Sec-10/L4.97

Good

Over: Creek

.8 Mi North Jct Of Sh 49, Monroe, AR

Built 2023 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 200

FDR 519

Good

Over: CANEY CREEK

6.47 MI N OF CTY RT 2, Yell, AR

Built 1980 Load: 27.9 t ADT: 50

US 61-03- LM 10.99

Good

Over: DITCH 20

1.55 MI S JCT OF SH 148, Mississippi, AR

Built 1954 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 4,299

Showing 8,601-8,650 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.