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

US30

Good

Over: STREAM

7W COZAD, Dawson, NE

Built 1973 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 2,495

US30

Good

Over: STREAM

6W COZAD, Dawson, NE

Built 1973 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 2,495

US30

Good

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

4W COZAD, Dawson, NE

Built 1973 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 2,495

US30

Good

Over: STREAM

0W COZAD, Dawson, NE

Built 1971 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 2,495

US30/N21

Good

Over: STREAM

2E COZAD, Dawson, NE

Built 1973 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 2,815

US30/N21

Good

Over: STREAM

1W LEXINGTON, Dawson, NE

Built 1973 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 3,090

US30

Good

Over: STREAM

2.2W OVERTON, Dawson, NE

Built 1973 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 3,095

US30

Good

Over: STREAM

IN OVERTON, Dawson, NE

Built 1973 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 2,750

US30

Good

Over: STREAM

1W ALDA, Hall, NE

Built 1930 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 5,090

US30

Good

Over: WARM SLOUGH

0E CENTRAL CITY, Merrick, NE

Built 1931 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 4,250

US30

Good

Over: STREAM

4E SILVER CREEK, Merrick, NE

Built 1973 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 3,870

N31

Good

Over: N BR PAPILLION CREEK

5N ELKHORN, Douglas, NE

Built 1956 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 3,490

N31

Good

Over: STREAM

JCT US30/N31 3.9S, Washington, NE

Built 1935 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 2,885

N32

Good

Over: STREAM

12E OF PETERSBURG, Boone, NE

Built 1947 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 455

N32

Good

Over: STREAM

16W MADISON, Madison, NE

Built 1962 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 930

N32

Good

Over: STREAM

5W WEST POINT, Cuming, NE

Built 1962 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 1,760

N32

Good

Over: PETERSON CREEK

7E WEST POINT, Cuming, NE

Built 1956 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 2,835

N32

Good

Over: STREAM

1W OAKLAND, Burt, NE

Built 1957 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 1,755

N33

Good

Over: STREAM

2W CRETE, Saline, NE

Built 1941 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 4,745

N33

Good

Over: BIG BLUE TRIB

1W CRETE, Saline, NE

Built 1941 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 4,745

US34

Good

Over: STREAM

6W HAIGLER, Dundy, NE

Built 1961 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 1,570

US34

Good

Over: WILL STAFFORD CANYON

1E PARKS, Dundy, NE

Built 1938 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 900

US34

Good

Over: NESBIT CREEK

2E PARKS, Dundy, NE

Built 1938 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 900

US34

Good

Over: STREAM

3E PARK, Dundy, NE

Built 1938 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 900

US34

Good

Over: STREAM

4E PARKS, Dundy, NE

Built 1938 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 900

US34

Good

Over: STREAM

3E BENKELMAN, Dundy, NE

Built 1938 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 1,520

US34

Good

Over: CHEYENNE CANYON

4E BENKELMAN, Dundy, NE

Built 1938 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 1,520

US34

Good

Over: BLACKWATER CANYON

5E BENKLEMAN, Dundy, NE

Built 1938 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 1,520

US34

Good

Over: STREAM

4W STRATTON, Hitchcock, NE

Built 1938 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 1,245

US34

Good

Over: STREAM

4W STRATTON, Hitchcock, NE

Built 1938 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 1,245

US34

Good

Over: STREAM

3W STRATTON, Hitchcock, NE

Built 1938 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 1,245

US34/US281

Good

Over: W FK BIG BLUE RIVER

2N HASTINGS, Adams, NE

Built 1983 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 14,855

US34/US281

Good

Over: STREAM

5N HASTINGS, Adams, NE

Built 1983 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 14,855

US34

Good

Over: STREAM

9W AURORA, Hamilton, NE

Built 1927 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 4,240

US34

Good

Over: STREAM

.5W SEWARD, Seward, NE

Built 1938 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 2,940

US34

Good

Over: DEAD MANS RUN

1E LINCOLN, Lancaster, NE

Built 1929 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 27,270

US34

Good

Over: STREAM

6E EAGLE, Cass, NE

Built 1933 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 3,670

N35

Good

Over: STREAM

ECL NORFOLK, Madison, NE

Built 1953 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 6,605

N35

Good

Over: STREAM

2E HOSKINS, Wayne, NE

Built 1955 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 2,440

N35

Good

Over: ELK CREEK TRIB

3NE EMERSON, Dakota, NE

Built 2020 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 4,220

N36

Good

Over: STREAM

2W ELK CITY, Douglas, NE

Built 1943 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 3,695

N39

Good

Over: STREAM

4W ST EDWARD, Boone, NE

Built 1937 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 1,835

N39

Good

Over: STREAM

8W ST EDWARD, Boone, NE

Built 1939 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 1,835

N40

Good

Over: STREAM

3S ARNOLD, Custer, NE

Built 1985 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 445

N40

Good

Over: STREAM

5S ARNOLD, Custer, NE

Built 1985 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 445

N40

Good

Over: SAND CREEK

6W CALLAWAY, Custer, NE

Built 1965 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 305

N40

Good

Over: STREAM

5W CALLAWAY, Custer, NE

Built 1965 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 505

N40

Good

Over: STREAM

2W CALLAWAY, Custer, NE

Built 1965 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 505

N40

Good

Over: COTTONWOOD CREEK TRIB

12NW OCONTO, Custer, NE

Built 1962 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 430

N40

Good

Over: WOOD RIVER

6NW OCONTO, Custer, NE

Built 1962 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 430

Showing 7,951-8,000 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.