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

N8

Fair

Over: FOURMILE CREEK

7NE DUBOIS, Richardson, NE

Built 1956 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 685

IRR/N9/N16

Fair

Over: RATTLESNAKE CR. TRIB.

1S PENDER, Thurston, NE

Built 1927 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 2,790

N15

Fair

Over: STREAM

5SE LAUREL, Cedar, NE

Built 1939 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 1,955

US20

Fair

Over: ELKHORN RIVER

3W STUART, Holt, NE

Built 1938 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 2,210

US30/US385

Fair

Over: STREAM

4W LODGEPOLE, Cheyenne, NE

Built 1932 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 1,130

NB US81

Fair

Over: DRY CREEK

4N CHESTER, Thayer, NE

Built 1953 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 4,500

SCENIC OVERLOOK RD

Fair

Over: DISMAL RIVER

15S THEDFORD, Thomas, NE

Built 1951 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 10

N91

Fair

Over: BROWN CREEK

5E NICKERSON, Washington, NE

Built 1964 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 1,220

US159

Fair

Over: MISSOURI RIVER/ASH ST

ECL RULO, Richardson, NE

Built 2011 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 1,005

US275/N91

Fair

Over: ELKHORN RIVER TRIB

1NW SCRIBNER, Dodge, NE

Built 1934 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 6,410

US281

Fair

Over: SILVER CREEK

AT GREELEY, Greeley, NE

Built 1950 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 1,545

I680

Fair

Over: FORT ST/FAU 5082

FORT ST INTRCHG, Douglas, NE

Built 1968 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 70,310

I680

Fair

Over: FORT ST/FAU 5082

FORT ST INTRCHG, Douglas, NE

Built 1968 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 70,310

BUFFALO BILL AVE

Fair

Over: FRNT ST/UPRR 816-151-W

N PLATTE BUFFALO BILL AVE, Lincoln, NE

Built 1989 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 8,000

PACIFIC ST/FAU5044

Fair

Over: LITTLE PAPILLION CREEK

OMAHA PACIFIC @ 69TH, Douglas, NE

Built 1970 Load: 21.0 t ADT: 26,100

FDR 259

Fair

Over: MIDDLE LOUP RIVER

1.3 MI. E. OF THEDFORD, Thomas, NE

Built 1965 Load: 21.4 t ADT: 30

E. County Road Ave

Fair

Over: Culbertson Canal

1.8 mi E of Palisade, Hitchcock, NE

Built 1957 Load: 21.6 t ADT: 25

CO.RTE. A

Fair

Over: RAILROAD

Harlan County Lake, Harlan, NE

Built 1949 Load: 21.7 t ADT: 350

COUNTY RTE. A

Fair

Over: SPILLWAY CHANNEL

Harlan County Lake, Harlan, NE

Built 1952 Load: 21.7 t ADT: 350

E. 42ND STREET

Fair

Over: W FK BIG BLUE RIVER

5215 E. 42 ND. STREET, Adams, NE

Built 1935 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 25

PROSSER AVE

Fair

Over: W BR THIRTY-TWO MILE CR

2085 S. PROSSER AVE., Adams, NE

Built 1935 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 50

S. ROSELAND AVE.

Fair

Over: COTTONWOOD CREEK

13390 S. ROSELAND AVE., Adams, NE

Built 1924 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 35

ROSELAND AVE

Fair

Over: WEST BRANCH SCOTT CREEK

7940 S. ROSELAND AVE., Adams, NE

Built 1958 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 1,065

W. PRAIRIE LAKE RD

Fair

Over: COTTONWOOD CREEK

19290 W. PRAIRIE LAKE RD., Adams, NE

Built 1935 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 40

PAWNEE AVE.

Fair

Over: FLAT CREEK

3230 N. PAWNEE AVE., Adams, NE

Built 1935 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 70

SILVERLAKE RD

Fair

Over: DOVE CREEK WEST BRANCH

5S 2.3W AYR, Adams, NE

Built 1984 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 20

W. BARROWS RD.

Fair

Over: FLAT CREEK

1515 W. BARROWS RD., Adams, NE

Built 1986 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 50

SHOWBOAT BLVD

Fair

Over: W FK BIG BLUE RIVER

2140 N SHOWBOAT BLVD, Adams, NE

Built 1959 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 3,925

SHOWBOAT BLVD

Fair

Over: FLAT CREEK

9705 N SHOWBOAT BLVD, Adams, NE

Built 1935 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 60

848TH ROAD

Fair

Over: ANTELOPE CREEK

JCT US275/N14 1.2S 3.3W, Antelope, NE

Built 1975 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 210

COLL 7644

Fair

Over: GILES CREEK

7S 1.2W OF TILDEN, Antelope, NE

Built 1978 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 100

FAS 1020 CR 18

Fair

Over: STREAM

JCT N71/S-4A 1S 3.9W, Banner, NE

Built 1935 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 120

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: STREAM

7W 2.4S ST EDWARD, Boone, NE

Built 1935 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 15

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: STREAM

1N ALBION, Boone, NE

Built 1972 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 5

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: STREAM

1.5N .2W CEDAR RAPIDS, Boone, NE

Built 1985 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 50

503RD AVE

Fair

Over: PONCA CREEK TRIB

SJCT US281/N12 2.9S 10.3E, Boyd, NE

Built 1935 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 165

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: KEARNEY CANAL

3E 1S OF ELM CREEK, Buffalo, NE

Built 1970 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 12

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: N CH PLATTE RIVER

.5S 2W OF KEARNEY, Buffalo, NE

Built 1992 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 55

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: CHERRY CREEK

1S 9.7E OF POOLE, Buffalo, NE

Built 1994 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 25

375TH RD

Fair

Over: BEAVER CREEK

1E OF RAVENNA, Buffalo, NE

Built 1995 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 70

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

2.7W 1.4N LYONS, Burt, NE

Built 1990 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 70

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: LITTLE LOGAN CREEK

2.2N 3.3W LYONS, Burt, NE

Built 1990 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 20

FAS 3530

Fair

Over: STREAM

JCT US73/N51 3.4S 2.5W, Burt, NE

Built 1948 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 225

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: STREAM

1.5N 2.2W OF OAKLAND, Burt, NE

Built 1970 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 120

COLL 7948

Fair

Over: SILVER CREEK

12S .5W OF DECATUR, Burt, NE

Built 1991 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 60

ROAD GH

Fair

Over: PETERSON DITCH

JCT US73/N32 1.8E, Burt, NE

Built 1982 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 490

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: BELL CREEK

4.7S .3W CRAIG, Burt, NE

Built 1990 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 25

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

4.7S 2.8E CRAIG, Burt, NE

Built 1990 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 45

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

2.5W TEKAMAH, Burt, NE

Built 1981 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 60

COLL 7948

Fair

Over: STREAM

4N 2.5W TEKAMAH, Burt, NE

Built 1984 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 60

Showing 2,151-2,200 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.