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

ROAD 15

Good

Over: SPOTTED TAIL CREEK

.2E 3.5N OF MITCHELL, Scotts Bluff, NE

Built 1984 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 45

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: SPRING BRANCH

1W N35 WAYNE CL, Stanton, NE

Built 2010 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 30

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: STREAM

.3E KENNARD, Washington, NE

Built 2009 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 100

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: W FK BIG BLUE RIVER

2.5E .8N MC COOL JCT, York, NE

Built 2023 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 85

EB-N2

Good

Over: DEER CREEK

8.6W NEB CITY, Otoe, NE

Built 1993 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 10,130

IRR/N9

Good

Over: RATTLESNAKE CREEK

1N PENDER, Thurston, NE

Built 1999 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 1,820

N14

Good

Over: STREAM

1N CLAY/HAMILTON CL, Hamilton, NE

Built 1950 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 2,425

N14

Good

Over: BURGESS CREEK

2S NIOBRARA, Knox, NE

Built 2021 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 1,095

N15

Good

Over: COON CREEK

3S WAYNE, Wayne, NE

Built 2013 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 3,240

US20

Good

Over: PLUM CREEK

3W JOHNSTOWN, Brown, NE

Built 1989 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 1,335

N21

Good

Over: DAWSON COUNTY CANAL

.3S COZAD, Dawson, NE

Built 2024 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 4,200

N32

Good

Over: BELL CREEK TRIBUTARY

5E OAKLAND, Burt, NE

Built 1999 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 1,610

N47

Good

Over: NORTH PLUM CREEK

14S GOTHENBURG, Dawson, NE

Built 2003 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 690

WB-N64

Good

Over: W PAPILLION CREEK N BR

3E ELKHORN, Douglas, NE

Built 1991 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 30,935

N66

Good

Over: N BR BIG BLUE RIVER

7E POLK, Polk, NE

Built 2000 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 885

N67

Good

Over: JONES CREEK

2S TALMAGE, Nemaha, NE

Built 1992 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 590

NB-US75

Good

Over: N370

JCT US75/N370, Sarpy, NE

Built 1990 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 38,095

N79

Good

Over: SAND CREEK TRIB.

1S MORSE BLUFF, Saunders, NE

Built 2007 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 2,245

N10

Good

Over: I80

2E KEARNEY INTRCHG, Buffalo, NE

Built 2011 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 3,195

CHURCH ROAD

Good

Over: I80

1S GREENWOOD INTERCHG, Cass, NE

Built 2006 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 200

NB-RP TO I680 BR#3

Good

Over: UPRR 815-672-J

IN OMAHA, Douglas, NE

Built 1993 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 150,360

WB-I80

Good

Over: 42ND ST/FAU 5057

42ND ST INTRCHG, Douglas, NE

Built 1962 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 180,990

EB-I80

Good

Over: 42ND ST/FAU 5057

42ND ST INTRCHG, Douglas, NE

Built 1989 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 180,990

SB US81

Good

Over: LITTLE BLUE RIVER

.5S OF HEBRON, Thayer, NE

Built 1995 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 4,285

NB US81

Good

Over: LITTLE BLUE RIVER

.25S OF HEBRON, Thayer, NE

Built 1995 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 4,285

N96

Good

Over: NORTH LOUP RIVER

JCT N11/N91 .6W 1N, Garfield, NE

Built 2019 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 980

US136

Good

Over: SCHOOL CREEK

5W RED CLOUD, Webster, NE

Built 1940 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 620

US136/N4

Good

Over: BEAR CREEK

1E BEATRICE, Gage, NE

Built 1992 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 3,180

I180/US34

Good

Over: SALT CREEK

IN LINCOLN, Lancaster, NE

Built 1963 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 33,410

I180/US34

Good

Over: SALT CREEK

IN LINCOLN, Lancaster, NE

Built 1963 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 33,410

US183

Good

Over: ELM CREEK

1S ELM CREEK, Buffalo, NE

Built 1993 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 5,160

N250

Good

Over: NIOBRARA RIVER

10S RUSHVILLE, Sheridan, NE

Built 2002 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 230

US281

Good

Over: S FK ELKHORN RIVER

14S ONEILL, Holt, NE

Built 2009 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 1,125

SL56C

Good

Over: UPRR

IN HERSHEY, Lincoln, NE

Built 2016 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 2,940

11TH ST

Good

Over: NORTH TABLE CREEK

IN NEBRASKA CITY, Otoe, NE

Built 2019 Load: 47.0 t ADT: 2,815

FAS 2605

Good

Over: ELKHORN RIVER

JCT US275/N14 10.7W 5N, Antelope, NE

Built 2012 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 335

FAS 2250

Good

Over: STREAM

JCT N14/N91 2.5N 3.5W, Boone, NE

Built 1920 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 55

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: STREAM

1S 5.9W OF MURRAY, Cass, NE

Built 1999 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 25

346TH ST

Good

Over: DECKER CREEK

2.9E .9N OF MURDOCK, Cass, NE

Built 2018 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 15

563 RD

Good

Over: SECOND BOW CREEK

3S 1W OF SAINT HELENA, Cedar, NE

Built 2018 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 20

FAS 1280

Good

Over: FRENCHMAN CREEK

WJCT US6/N61 1.6N 19W, Chase, NE

Built 2004 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 145

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: FRENCHMAN CREEK

2.9W OF WAUNETA, Chase, NE

Built 2005 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 10

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Good

Over: STREAM

7.2S 3.6E OF HOWELLS, Colfax, NE

Built 2010 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 25

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Good

Over: SILVER CREEK

RD. 4 BET. I & J, Dodge, NE

Built 2010 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 45

FAS 3490

Good

Over: STREAM

RD. F BET. 17 & 18, Dodge, NE

Built 2023 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 595

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Good

Over: STREAM

RD. N BET. 1 & 2, Dodge, NE

Built 1988 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 25

RINGWOOD ROAD

Good

Over: STREAM

2NE OF VALLEY, Douglas, NE

Built 2010 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 200

SW 61 RD

Good

Over: ASH CREEK

JCT N8/N112 3W 2.8N, Gage, NE

Built 2018 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 460

MONITOR RD

Good

Over: PRAIRIE CREEK

2.5W 2.7N NW GRAND ISLAND, Hall, NE

Built 2020 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 75

DRIFTWOOD DRIVE

Good

Over: DRIFTWOOD CREEK

6.5S 6E OF TRENTON, Hitchcock, NE

Built 2003 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 10

Showing 13,551-13,600 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.