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: TEKAMAH CREEK

2W TEKAMAH, Burt, NE

Built 1987 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 5

COUNTY ROAD 42

Fair

Over: STREAM

.4N .3W BELLWOOD, Butler, NE

Built 2007 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 60

COUNTY ROAD R

Fair

Over: PLUM CREEK

1W .6N DWIGHT, Butler, NE

Built 1935 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 10

COLL 7657

Fair

Over: STREAM

1N N84 KNOX CL, Cedar, NE

Built 2007 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 20

556TH AVE

Fair

Over: NORWEGIAN BOW CREEK

4.5S 2W OF FORDYCE, Cedar, NE

Built 1972 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 25

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: BIG SANDY CREEK

2.2E FAIRFIELD, Clay, NE

Built 1999 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 40

FAS 3135

Fair

Over: STREAM

JCT N57/N91 1.4S, Colfax, NE

Built 1982 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 180

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: LEISY CREEK

4W 2.5S OF WISNER, Cuming, NE

Built 1985 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 30

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

1.2W 6N OF WISNER, Cuming, NE

Built 1992 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 30

COLL 7777

Fair

Over: PEBBLE CREEK TRIB

6S 2W OF ALOYS, Cuming, NE

Built 1988 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 50

FAS 3465

Fair

Over: PEBBLE CREEK

SJCT US275/N32 1.1S 9.2W, Cuming, NE

Built 1969 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 420

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: STREAM

3N 2N WEST POINT, Cuming, NE

Built 2002 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 35

COLL 7698

Fair

Over: S BR PEBBLE CREEK

SJCT US275/N32 3S 6.6W, Cuming, NE

Built 1980 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 105

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: COFFEE CREEK

5S 2.7W WEST POINT, Cuming, NE

Built 1995 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 25

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

4E 1.5N OF WISNER, Cuming, NE

Built 1988 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 35

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: ELK CREEK

14S 1E OF ANSLEY, Custer, NE

Built 1989 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 15

CO RD 772/FAS 1723

Fair

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

JCT US30/N47 6.3N 2.8E, Dawson, NE

Built 1935 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 95

COUNTY ROAD 436

Fair

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

1N 3E OF LEXINGTON, Dawson, NE

Built 1985 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 50

COUNTY ROAD 439

Fair

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

5E 2N LEXINGTON, Dawson, NE

Built 1980 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 100

COUNTY ROAD 760

Fair

Over: SPRING CREEK

2.5W 4N OF LEXINGTON, Dawson, NE

Built 1986 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 20

CO RD 428/FAS 1715

Fair

Over: SPRING CREEK

6.5E .3N OF COAZAD, Dawson, NE

Built 1984 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 260

COUNTY ROAD 429

Fair

Over: SPRING CREEK

8E OF COZAD, Dawson, NE

Built 1987 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 50

COUNTY ROAD 446

Fair

Over: WOOD RIVER

N EDGE OF SUMNER, Dawson, NE

Built 1963 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 100

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

1.5N .5W OF DIXON, Dixon, NE

Built 2004 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 10

COLL 7887

Fair

Over: STREAM

1S 5.5W OF MARTINSBURG, Dixon, NE

Built 1983 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 30

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

RD. 6 BET. B & C, Dodge, NE

Built 1980 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 80

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: MAPLE CREEK

RD. 11 BET. M & N, Dodge, NE

Built 1968 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 20

FAS 3040

Fair

Over: STREAM

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

Built 1965 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 45

RD 13

Fair

Over: MAPLE CREEK

RD. 13 BET. M & N, Dodge, NE

Built 1967 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 35

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: LITTLE SANDY CREEK

1S 1.2E OHIOWA, Fillmore, NE

Built 1972 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 30

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: DRY SANDY CREEK

3.3S 1.6E STRANG, Fillmore, NE

Built 1984 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 20

FAS 1945

Fair

Over: FRANKLIN CANAL

H AND 43, Franklin, NE

Built 1973 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 55

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: BOTTLE CREEK

1.3W 1N OF BEATRICE, Gage, NE

Built 1935 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 70

FAS 3265

Fair

Over: BIG BLUE RIVER

JCT US77/N8 .5E 5.3N, Gage, NE

Built 1968 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 255

FAS 3265

Fair

Over: WILDCAT CREEK

JCT US77/N8 2N 3.9E, Gage, NE

Built 1958 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 120

COLL 7430

Fair

Over: MIRDAN CANAL

1N 3W BURWELL, Garfield, NE

Built 1984 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 50

WHITE CLOUD RD

Fair

Over: PRAIRIE CREEK

.5S 3.6E OF CAIRO, Hall, NE

Built 1969 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 30

NORTH RD/FAS 2285

Fair

Over: SILVER CREEK

NJCT US281/N2 .8W .8N, Hall, NE

Built 1981 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 85

COLL 7551

Fair

Over: LINCOLN CREEK

3E PHILLIPS, Hamilton, NE

Built 1990 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 55

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: TURKEY CREEK

.5N OF HUNTLEY, Harlan, NE

Built 1935 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 10

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: STREAM

4.2W 1S HAYES CENTER, Hayes, NE

Built 1935 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 20

COLL 7514

Fair

Over: ELKHORN RIVER

ATKINSON, Holt, NE

Built 1973 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 200

FAS 2300

Fair

Over: EAGLE CREEK

WJCT US20/281 15.5N 4.4W, Holt, NE

Built 1983 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 190

FAS 2335

Fair

Over: LOUSE CREEK

WJCT US20/US281 14.8N 11E, Holt, NE

Built 1992 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 75

PAGE ROAD

Fair

Over: FARWELL MAIN CANAL

1.5E 1N FARWELL, Howard, NE

Built 1963 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 40

SALEM RD

Fair

Over: STREAM

NW EDGE OF FARWELL, Howard, NE

Built 1965 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 190

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: STREAM

.5E 2.2N OF POWELL, Jefferson, NE

Built 1935 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 20

613 AVE

Fair

Over: YANKEE CREEK

.5W OF VESTA, Johnson, NE

Built 1979 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 25

FAS 1550 W 400

Fair

Over: DRY CREEK

JCT N44/L-50A .9N 1.5W, Kearney, NE

Built 1974 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 650

FAS 1005

Fair

Over: STREAM

JCT US30/L-53C 5.4N, Kimball, NE

Built 1963 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 140

Showing 3,751-3,800 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.