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

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

1.4E 3.5S OF WAUSA, Knox, NE

Built 1984 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 25

COLL 7718

Fair

Over: N. F. ELKHORN RIVER TRIB

1.7W 1N OF WAUSA, Knox, NE

Built 2008 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 60

BLUFF ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM (H-92)

JCT I80&US6 1.2N 3.1E, Lancaster, NE

Built 2010 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 308

537TH RD

Fair

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

4.5S 2W OF MEADOW GROVE, Madison, NE

Built 1991 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 40

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: MIDDLE CREEK

7.5W 2.8N SUPERIOR, Nuckolls, NE

Built 1996 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 45

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: STREAM

4E .4N OF PIERCE, Pierce, NE

Built 2002 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 50

714 RD-649 / 650 A

Fair

Over: MACKELROY CREEK

3E2N VERDON (714-649/650), Richardson, NE

Built 1987 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 15

COUNTY ROAD 24

Fair

Over: STREAM

5W .5S MELBETA, Scotts Bluff, NE

Built 1990 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 75

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: BLOODY RUN CREEK

3.1E 1.2S OF HAZARD, Sherman, NE

Built 2003 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 40

IRR/COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: STREAM

2W OF PENDER, Thurston, NE

Built 1999 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 100

IRR/COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: TURTLE CREEK

.7N OF WINNEBAGO, Thurston, NE

Built 2014 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 60

US30/US385

Fair

Over: LODGEPOLE CREEK TRIB

4E SIDNEY, Cheyenne, NE

Built 1925 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 1,335

N41

Fair

Over: CLATONIA CREEK

ECL CLATONIA, Gage, NE

Built 1961 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 1,775

N57

Fair

Over: MIDDLE LOGAN CREEK

0N BELDEN, Cedar, NE

Built 1994 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 720

N57

Fair

Over: LOGAN CREEK

2N BELDEN, Cedar, NE

Built 1994 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 720

N71

Fair

Over: SIDNEY DRAW TRIBUTARY

7S KIMBALL, Kimball, NE

Built 1990 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 1,490

BROAD ST OLD US77

Fair

Over: BNSF RR 083-217-R

IN FREMONT, Dodge, NE

Built 1995 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 9,070

I80

Fair

Over: FARMERS/MERCHANTS CANAL

1W COZAD INTRCHG, Dawson, NE

Built 1964 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 17,540

I80

Fair

Over: DAWSON COUNTY CANAL

1W COZAD INTRCHG, Dawson, NE

Built 1964 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 17,540

I80

Fair

Over: LITTLE SALT CREEK

2W US77 INTRCHG, Lancaster, NE

Built 1960 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 48,015

US81

Fair

Over: PLATTE RIVER

2S COLUMBUS, Platte, NE

Built 1978 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 9,480

SB US81

Fair

Over: SHELL CREEK TRIBUTARY

8NW COLUMBUS, Platte, NE

Built 1998 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 7,875

I480/20TH ST EXIT

Fair

Over: CHICAGO/DAVENPORT/20TH

IN OMAHA, Douglas, NE

Built 1970 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 42,920

BUFFALO BILL AVE

Fair

Over: SO. PLATTE RIVER

BUFF BILL & SO. PLATT, Lincoln, NE

Built 2010 Load: 46.0 t ADT: 7,215

170TH ST

Fair

Over: SHELL CREEK

3.5S 8.2E OF PETERSBURG, Boone, NE

Built 1988 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 25

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: STREAM

2S OF AMHERST, Buffalo, NE

Built 2004 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 20

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: STREAM

4S 1E OF RAVENNA, Buffalo, NE

Built 2004 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 45

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

1.5S LYONS, Burt, NE

Built 1997 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 75

COUNTY ROAD J

Fair

Over: STREAM

3W .7S DAVID CITY, Butler, NE

Built 2005 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 40

COUNTY ROAD J

Fair

Over: STREAM

3W .5S DAVID CITY, Butler, NE

Built 2005 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 40

COUNTY ROAD 40

Fair

Over: STREAM

1S 1.8E BELLWOOD, Butler, NE

Built 2005 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 25

COUNTY ROAD O

Fair

Over: STREAM

2.5S 1E DAVID CITY, Butler, NE

Built 1986 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 30

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: FISHER CREEK

3.5S 1.5W BEEMER, Cuming, NE

Built 2006 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 60

549TH AVE

Fair

Over: WEST BOW CREEK

2W 3.6S OF CROFTON, Knox, NE

Built 2019 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 10

IRR/COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: STREAM

1.5N .6E LINDY, Knox, NE

Built 1984 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 30

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: PRAIRIE CREEK

7.5S 3W OF GENOA, Nance, NE

Built 1992 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 40

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: SHORT CREEK

3.5N LAKE BABCOCK RESERVE, Platte, NE

Built 2001 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 40

CAPEHRT RD/FAU5000

Fair

Over: FT CROOK RD/FAU 5145

CAPEHART RD INTRCHG, Sarpy, NE

Built 1992 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 24,680

IRR/COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: STREAM

1.2NE OF PENDER, Thurston, NE

Built 2005 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 25

WB-N2

Fair

Over: DEER CREEK

8.6W NEB CITY, Otoe, NE

Built 1993 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 10,130

US6/WEST DODGE ST

Fair

Over: 137TH ST

W DODGE @ 138TH STOMAHA, Douglas, NE

Built 1991 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 104,955

US20

Fair

Over: W BR N FK ELKHORN RIVER

2W OSMOND, Pierce, NE

Built 1992 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 2,570

N25

Fair

Over: UPRR 906-592-T

6.5S SUTHERLAND, Lincoln, NE

Built 1993 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 625

N32

Fair

Over: BELL CREEK

6E OAKLAND, Burt, NE

Built 1999 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 1,610

US281

Fair

Over: ELKHORN RIVER OVERFLOW

1S ONEILL, Holt, NE

Built 1991 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 1,320

132ND ST/FAU 5005

Fair

Over: W BR PAPILLION CREEK

OMAHA 132ND @ Q, Douglas, NE

Built 1982 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 10,016

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: HALL CREEK

.3NW OF NELIGH, Antelope, NE

Built 1999 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 95

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

.5E N13 KNOX CL, Antelope, NE

Built 2003 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 65

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: STREAM

.5S 1.5E OF RIVERDALE, Buffalo, NE

Built 2000 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 15

COLL 7792

Fair

Over: STREAM

5W OF FORDYCE, Cedar, NE

Built 1980 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 100

Showing 5,801-5,850 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.