State profile · Near median Poor share

Nebraska 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 Nebraska.

15,398
Public bridges
52.9%
Good condition
7.9%
Poor condition

Nebraska holds 15,398 public highway bridges (#16 of 52 by inventory) with a 7.9% Poor share (#15 of 52 by Poor share).

That is 7.9% 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 38 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

15,398

Public highway bridges in Nebraska

Good Condition

52.9%

8,149 bridges rated 7-9

2.9pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

7.9%

1,217 bridges whose lowest applicable component is rated 0-4

0.4pp vs national avg 7.5%

Nebraska vs national bridge condition

Nebraska - Good condition share 52.9%
National avg

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

Nebraska - Poor-condition share 26.3%
National avg

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

Nebraska 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: Nebraska has 15,398 bridges and a 7.9% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #38 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 (%) NE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.9%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%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: Nebraska has 15,398 bridges and a 7.9% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #38 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.

Nebraska 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

15,398 16th of 54 higher than 38 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 Nebraska

The highlighted point is Nebraska: 15,398 bridges and 7.90% in Poor condition, rank #38 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The five jurisdictions immediately above and below Nebraska on that same Poor-share ordering:

  • Oklahoma: 22,917 bridges · 7.70% Poor
  • Alaska: 1,685 bridges · 7.89% Poor
  • Nebraska: 15,398 bridges · 7.90% Poor
  • Massachusetts: 5,295 bridges · 8.88% Poor
  • Missouri: 24,618 bridges · 8.95% Poor

The full national sortable table lives on the rankings page.

Material families in Nebraska

Exclusive FHWA material families across all 15,398 bridges in this state; continuous variants fold into the parent family. Orthogonal to the Poor-share scatter above.

Who maintains Nebraska’s inventory

State agency holds 23.1% of the 15,398 public highway bridges filed under Nebraska in the 2024 NBI, the agency-of-record split for this state, not a condition verdict.

When Nebraska’s bridges were built

Pre-1950 construction accounts for 20.7% of the 15,398 bridges with a recorded original year in Nebraska. Era bands are orthogonal to the Poor-share ranking above.

Condition Distribution

Nebraska52.9%39.2%GoodFairPoor
Bridge inventory deck-condition mix - Nebraska (FHWA NBI)

Nebraska 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 Nebraska on the same metric.

OK

Oklahoma

7.70% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$22,917

AK

Alaska

7.89% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$1,685
Selected

NE

Nebraska

7.90% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$15,398

MA

Massachusetts

8.88% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$5,295

MO

Missouri

8.95% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$24,618

Bridges Needing Most Attention in Nebraska

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

All Bridges in Nebraska

US81

Fair

Over: N BR BIG BLUE RIVER

JCT US81/N66 2.2N, Polk, NE

Built 1985 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 3,950

NB-US81

Fair

Over: UNION CREEK

.5E .2N MADISON, Madison, NE

Built 1978 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 9,010

US81

Fair

Over: UPRR 188-063-B

IN NORFOLK, Madison, NE

Built 1988 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 15,715

US81

Fair

Over: N FORK ELKHORN RIV OVRFL

2N NORFOLK, Madison, NE

Built 2003 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 9,340

US81

Fair

Over: N FORK ELKHORN RIV OVRFL

2 N NORFOLK, Madison, NE

Built 2003 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 9,340

N91

Fair

Over: SHELL CREEK TRIBUTARY

IN LINDSAY, Platte, NE

Built 1952 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 2,240

N92

Fair

Over: STREAM

1E ANSLEY, Custer, NE

Built 1959 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 550

N116

Fair

Over: NORTH LOGAN CREEK TRIB

1N DIXON, Dixon, NE

Built 1957 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 440

US136

Fair

Over: SWARTZ CREEK

3W OXFORD, Furnas, NE

Built 1977 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 585

US275

Fair

Over: UPRR 816-864-E

.2E WATERLOO, Douglas, NE

Built 1984 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 25,005

US275

Fair

Over: US75

KENNEDY EXP/L ST INTRCHG, Douglas, NE

Built 1969 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 19,820

FRONTAGE ROAD

Fair

Over: UP/BNSF RR

JCT US75/N370 .2E, Sarpy, NE

Built 1988 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 2,500

L17F LODGPOLE CNLK

Fair

Over: LODGEPOLE CREEK

1S LODGEPOLE, Cheyenne, NE

Built 1971 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 185

L56C HERSHEY CNLK

Fair

Over: SOUTH PLATTE RIVER

1S HERSHEY, Lincoln, NE

Built 1974 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 2,940

L56D

Fair

Over: 030

1NW BRADY, Lincoln, NE

Built 2005 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 1,325

L79E US26 TO N92

Fair

Over: NORTH PLATTE RIVER

1N MELBETA, Scotts Bluff, NE

Built 1919 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 1,675

S79H

Fair

Over: NORTH PLATTE RIVER

SCL SCOTTSBLUFF, Scotts Bluff, NE

Built 1977 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 12,250

S 70TH ST

Fair

Over: ANTELOPE CREEK

S 70TH ST @ HOLMES PK RD, Lancaster, NE

Built 1986 Load: 35.0 t ADT: 33,800

STATE HIGHWAY 61

Fair

Over: Enders Dam Spillway

2.6 mi S-SE of Enders, Chase, NE

Built 1948 Load: 35.1 t ADT: 150

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: RAE CREEK

1N 1.3W OF PETERSBURG, Boone, NE

Built 2006 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 15

330TH AVE

Fair

Over: NORTH SHELL CREEK TRIB

12E .6N PETERSBURG, Boone, NE

Built 2007 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 10

LINCOLN ROAD

Fair

Over: PONCA CREEK

.5SE OF ANOKA, Boyd, NE

Built 1990 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 70

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: BONE CREEK

2E 3N OF AINSWORTH, Brown, NE

Built 1935 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 15

TURKEY CREEK RD

Fair

Over: TURKEY CREEK

1N OF ELM CREEK, Buffalo, NE

Built 2006 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 70

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: STREAM

2.5S 1E OF GIBBON, Buffalo, NE

Built 1989 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 30

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: CHERRY CREEK

2S 9.5E OF POOLE, Buffalo, NE

Built 1987 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 30

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

1.2N 2.9E LYONS, Burt, NE

Built 1991 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 50

COUNTY ROAD 46 1/2

Fair

Over: SKULL CREEK

.1W NW EDGE LINWOOD, Butler, NE

Built 1999 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 30

COUNTY ROAD G

Fair

Over: BIG BLUE RIVER

2.5E .6S SURPRISE, Butler, NE

Built 1992 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 35

COUNTY ROAD 29

Fair

Over: N BR BIG BLUE RIVER

WJCT N15/N92 3S 3W, Butler, NE

Built 2003 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 25

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: N BR BIG BLUE RIVER

3N .9E ULYSSES, Butler, NE

Built 2008 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 25

202ND ST

Fair

Over: DEE CREEK

2.2S OF GREENWOOD, Cass, NE

Built 1953 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 35

FAS 3040

Fair

Over: M FK MAPLE CREEK

JCT N15/N91 2.5E 9S, Colfax, NE

Built 2000 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 85

V RD

Fair

Over: RATTLESNAKE CREEK

8N 3E OF BEEMER, Cuming, NE

Built 1991 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 80

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

1.7N OF WISNER, Cuming, NE

Built 2009 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 75

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

5N OF WISNER, Cuming, NE

Built 2009 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 55

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

1.7E 1N OF BEEMER, Cuming, NE

Built 2009 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 50

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

6S .5W OF BANCROFT, Cuming, NE

Built 2008 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 25

11 RD

Fair

Over: DRY CREEK TRIB

4E 4.7N OF WISNER, Cuming, NE

Built 2005 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 15

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

2E .7N OF BEEMER, Cuming, NE

Built 1995 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 50

15 RD

Fair

Over: RATTLESNAKE CREEK

8N 3E OF BEEMER, Cuming, NE

Built 1999 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 35

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: CLEAR CREEK

6.5E 5N OF ANSLEY #631, Custer, NE

Built 2002 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 10

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: FIDDLERS CREEK

2.7W .4S OF HOMER, Dakota, NE

Built 1935 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 3

COUNTY ROAD 430

Fair

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

1N 9E OF COZAD, Dawson, NE

Built 1989 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 25

COLL 7947/252ND

Fair

Over: STREAM

1W 3N OF WATERLOO, Douglas, NE

Built 1994 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 1,093

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: REBECCA CREEK

24 & A 1/2, Franklin, NE

Built 1981 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 10

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

39 1/2 M, Franklin, NE

Built 1994 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 10

CO RD A

Fair

Over: SAPPA CREEK TRIB

5.8W 7.5N OF ALMENA KS, Furnas, NE

Built 1983 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 35

COLL 7479

Fair

Over: CALUMUS DAM CANAL

.5W .8S BURWELL, Garfield, NE

Built 1984 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 25

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

12.5W 3.7S EWING, Holt, NE

Built 1983 Load: 36.0 t ADT: 20

Showing 5,051-5,100 of 15,398 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 Nebraska's inventory picture to drill to a county or a specific span.

  • Browse counties in Nebraska 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. Nebraska 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.