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)

Counties (90)

Adams 211 Antelope 162 Banner 36 Blaine 19 Boone 237 Box Butte 30 Boyd 64 Brown 56 Buffalo 459 Burt 169 Butler 211 Cass 274 Cedar 313 Chase 33 Cherry 57 Cheyenne 159 Clay 134 Colfax 252 Cuming 402 Custer 303 Dakota 73 Dawes 91 Dawson 300 Deuel 73 Dixon 146 Dodge 334 Douglas 509 Dundy 47 Fillmore 218 Franklin 104 Frontier 96 Furnas 169 Gage 394 Garden 29 Garfield 24 Gosper 62 Greeley 84 Hall 271 Hamilton 175 Harlan 92 Hayes 41 Hitchcock 77 Holt 241 Hooker 2 Howard 161 Jefferson 241 Johnson 173 Kearney 71 Keith 91 Keya Paha 23 Kimball 88 Knox 329 Lancaster 661 Lincoln 197 Logan 4 Loup 20 Madison 302 Merrick 173 Morrill 91 Nance 148 Nemaha 179 Nuckolls 255 Otoe 359 Pawnee 191 Perkins 13 Phelps 80 Pierce 177 Platte 433 Polk 94 Red Willow 80 Richardson 258 Rock 14 Saline 312 Sarpy 192 Saunders 506 Scotts Bluff 250 Seward 244 Sheridan 63 Sherman 118 Sioux 36 Stanton 223 Thayer 220 Thomas 19 Thurston 152 Valley 115 Washington 149 Wayne 251 Webster 191 Wheeler 13 York 205

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.

SAND AVE.

Poor

Over: LITTLE BLUE RIVER

17690 S. SAND AVE, Adams, NE

Built 1935 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 25

OSAGE AVENUE

Poor

Over: SCOTT CREEK

9550 S. OSAGE AVENUE, Adams, NE

Built 1935 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 55

OREGON TRAIL ROAD

Poor

Over: THIRTY-TWO MILE CREEK

3430 W OREGON TRAIL RD., Adams, NE

Built 1935 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 15

516TH AVE

Poor

Over: S BR VERDIGRE CREEK

6.5N 2W OF ROYAL, Antelope, NE

Built 1935 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 255

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Poor

Over: CEDAR CREEK

3.5E OF ELGIN, Antelope, NE

Built 1965 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 5

NORDIC ROAD

Poor

Over: PONCA CREEK

4SE OF ANOKA, Boyd, NE

Built 1935 Load: 0.0 t ADT: 60

All Bridges in Nebraska

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: CAMP CREEK

2.7E OF STRATTON, Hitchcock, NE

Built 1932 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 150

ROAD 366

Good

Over: DRIFTWOOD CREEK N FK

8.5S OF TRENTON, Hitchcock, NE

Built 2017 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 10

DEER RD

Good

Over: BEAVER CREEK

21N 6W ATKINSON, Holt, NE

Built 1989 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 10

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: DRY CREEK

1.7S ATKINSON, Holt, NE

Built 1986 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 20

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Good

Over: ELKHORN RIVER

.5W ATKINSON, Holt, NE

Built 1989 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 280

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Good

Over: STREAM

.5E 1.5S CHAMBERS, Holt, NE

Built 1988 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 70

887TH RD

Good

Over: BIG SANDY CREEK

4E 5N OF STUART, Holt, NE

Built 2021 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 190

472ND AVE

Good

Over: BIG SANDY CREEK

3W 9.2N ATKINSON, Holt, NE

Built 2021 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 70

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Good

Over: ELKHORN RIVER

4E 3S ATKINSON, Holt, NE

Built 2005 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 20

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: STREAM

9.2W ONEILL, Holt, NE

Built 1984 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 20

468 AVE

Good

Over: DRY CREEK

4S 7W OF ATKINSON, Holt, NE

Built 2015 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 205

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Good

Over: M BR VERDIGRIS CREEK

16E 1.4N ONEILL, Holt, NE

Built 1998 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 10

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: REDBIRD CREEK

8E 18.3N ONEILL, Holt, NE

Built 1997 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 15

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Good

Over: STREAM

13W 4.5S EWING, Holt, NE

Built 2005 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 20

CUSHING RD

Good

Over: FULLERTON CANAL

2.5W CUSHING, Howard, NE

Built 1992 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 280

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: STREAM

1.7N 2.1E OF REYNOLDS, Jefferson, NE

Built 1940 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 40

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: SILVER CREEK

5.3E .7S OF REYNOLDS, Jefferson, NE

Built 1982 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 30

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: COON CREEK

.5N 3W OF STEELE CITY, Jefferson, NE

Built 1995 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 40

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: SUTHERLAND CANAL

1S 1.5E OF PAXTON, Keith, NE

Built 1987 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 15

COLL 7113

Good

Over: STREAM

12S 6E DIX CR8, Kimball, NE

Built 1975 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 40

COLL 7653

Good

Over: M BR VERDIGRIS CREEK

12W 4.7S OF VERDIGRE, Knox, NE

Built 2006 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 60

FAS 2635

Good

Over: N BR VERDIGRIS CREEK

JCT N14/N59 12W 10.5N, Knox, NE

Built 1978 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 70

521ST RD

Good

Over: VERDIGRE CREEK

1.5S 1.4W OF VERDIGRE, Knox, NE

Built 2022 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 25

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Good

Over: BAZILE CREEK

1.5E 4.1N OF BAZILE MILL, Knox, NE

Built 1982 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 25

COLL 7654

Good

Over: STREAM

4.7S 1.3W OF VERDIGRE, Knox, NE

Built 1989 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 15

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Good

Over: BAZILE CREEK

.5N OF CREIGHTON, Knox, NE

Built 2017 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 70

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Good

Over: LITTLE BAZILE CREEK

.5S 1.2W OF BLOOMFIELD, Knox, NE

Built 1996 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 35

IRR/TOWNSHIP ROAD

Good

Over: HOWE CREEK

1.2S .9E OF LINDY, Knox, NE

Built 1992 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 20

IRR/FAS 2965

Good

Over: HOBOE CREEK

JCT N12/N121 12W 1.9N, Knox, NE

Built 1990 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 150

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Good

Over: WEST BOW CREEK

1.7W 4S OF CROFTON, Knox, NE

Built 1986 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 20

BRANCHED OAK RD

Good

Over: ROCK CREEK (A 101)

3.5N OF WAVERLY, Lancaster, NE

Built 1984 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 54

SW 2ND ST

Good

Over: SALT CREEK (T 146)

1NE OF SPRAGUE, Lancaster, NE

Built 1983 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 47

LITTLE SALT ROAD

Good

Over: ROCK CREEK (A 138)

5.5E 3N OF DAVEY, Lancaster, NE

Built 1983 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 17

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: BIRDWOOD CREEK

12N 2.2E OF SUTHERLAND, Lincoln, NE

Built 2006 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 10

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: SUTHERLAND CANAL

1.5E 4.7S OF HERSHEY, Lincoln, NE

Built 1935 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 20

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: SUTHERLAND CANAL

4.9S 3E OF HERSHEY, Lincoln, NE

Built 1995 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 20

COLL 7635

Good

Over: STREAM

4S N32 BOONE CL, Madison, NE

Built 1935 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 75

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: BATTLE CREEK

8.5S 1E OF MEADOW GROVE, Madison, NE

Built 2001 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 40

839TH RD

Good

Over: ELKHORN RIVER TRIB

.5S 3.2E OF BATTLE CREEK, Madison, NE

Built 1993 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 30

543RD AVE

Good

Over: SOUTH FORK UNION CR TRIB

6E OF NEWMAN GROVE, Madison, NE

Built 2021 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 30

547TH RD

Good

Over: UNION CREEK N FK TRIB

JCT N32/N121 1E 3.2S, Madison, NE

Built 1978 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 35

549TH AVE

Good

Over: ELKHORN RIVER TRIB

JCT US275/N121 3E 1S, Madison, NE

Built 2001 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 150

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Good

Over: WOOD RIVER

4W 4.8S CHAPMAN, Merrick, NE

Built 1980 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 50

FAS 2200

Good

Over: PRAIRIE CREEK

JCT N92/S-61A 3.3E 5S, Merrick, NE

Built 1971 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 195

FAS 2200

Good

Over: PRAIRIE CREEK

JCT N92/S-61A 6S 2.2E, Merrick, NE

Built 1971 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 195

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: WARM SLOUGH

1.5W CENTRAL CITY, Merrick, NE

Built 1971 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 75

COUNTY ROAD H

Good

Over: WARM SLOUGH

.5W CHAPMAN, Merrick, NE

Built 2016 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 60

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: SILVER CREEK

3.3E 4N CLARKS, Merrick, NE

Built 1984 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 30

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: PRAIRIE CREEK

4.3W 2.8N CHAPMAN, Merrick, NE

Built 1982 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 30

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: PRAIRIE CREEK

2.3W 4.6N CHAPMAN, Merrick, NE

Built 1983 Load: 24.0 t ADT: 30

Showing 8,651-8,700 of 15,398 bridges

Related

All states → | National rankings → | Understanding conditions → | Retired SD term explained →
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.

Understanding Bridge Conditions

How FHWA rates bridge condition on a 0-9 scale.

Check Your Daily Bridges

How to look up bridge condition data for bridges on your route.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

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.