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

COLL 7682

Fair

Over: LINCOLN CREEK

.2N .5W OF THAYER, York, NE

Built 1938 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 90

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: LINCOLN CREEK

2N 2W BRADSHAW, York, NE

Built 1976 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 35

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: LINCOLN CREEK

4W 3S THAYER, York, NE

Built 1975 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 40

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: STREAM

.7N 10.2E MC COOL JCT, York, NE

Built 1987 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 13

COLL 7508

Fair

Over: CACHE CREEK

5.5S 8.5W OF EWING, Holt, NE

Built 1985 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 70

THIRD AVENUE

Fair

Over: STREAM

RIVERDALE 3RD @ CHERRY, Buffalo, NE

Built 1935 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 110

N2/N92

Fair

Over: MUD CREEK TRIBUTARY

7SW BROKEN BOW, Custer, NE

Built 1935 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 3,605

US6/US34

Fair

Over: FRENCHMAN CREEK

3W CULBERTSON, Hitchcock, NE

Built 1936 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 3,005

N12

Fair

Over: BADGER CREEK

2.2SE PONCA, Dixon, NE

Built 1975 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 2,250

N13

Fair

Over: DRY CREEK

8NW PIERCE, Pierce, NE

Built 1958 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 1,500

N15

Fair

Over: CUB CREEK

7N FAIRBURY, Jefferson, NE

Built 1958 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 2,120

N15

Fair

Over: SPRING CREEK

3N WESTERN, Saline, NE

Built 1961 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 1,270

N15

Fair

Over: TRIB TO BIG BLUE

1S SEWARD, Seward, NE

Built 1965 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 9,075

US26

Fair

Over: WILDHORSE CANYON

0S BAYARD, Morrill, NE

Built 1956 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 1,325

NB-US26/N61

Fair

Over: RR ST/UPRR 815-472-A

IN OGALLALA, Keith, NE

Built 1968 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 9,495

N39

Fair

Over: LOUP RIVER

2S GENOA, Nance, NE

Built 1974 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 1,520

CNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: LODGEPOLE CREEK

1N KIMBALL, Kimball, NE

Built 1966 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 2,260

N74

Fair

Over: PAWNEE CREEK

9W FAIRFIELD, Clay, NE

Built 1963 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 1,005

N74

Fair

Over: STREAM

5W STRANG, Fillmore, NE

Built 1962 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 1,005

Q ST/FAU 5026

Fair

Over: US75

KENNEDY EXP/Q ST INTRCHG, Douglas, NE

Built 1978 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 12,600

US75

Fair

Over: MILL CREEK

4N FORT CALHOUN, Washington, NE

Built 1977 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 4,815

I80

Fair

Over: TRI-COUNTY CANAL

3E NORTH PLATTE E INTRCHG, Lincoln, NE

Built 1964 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 17,730

I80

Fair

Over: TRI-COUNTY CANAL

3E NORTH PLATTE E INTRCHG, Lincoln, NE

Built 1964 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 17,730

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: I80

2W ODESSA INTRCHG, Buffalo, NE

Built 1963 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 25

I80

Fair

Over: L10D/UPRR 813-315-A

SHELTON INTRCHG, Buffalo, NE

Built 1962 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 22,360

I80

Fair

Over: BEAVER CREEK

1W AURORA INTRCHG, Hamilton, NE

Built 1966 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 23,995

I80

Fair

Over: BEAVER CREEK

1W AURORA INTRCHG, Hamilton, NE

Built 1966 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 23,995

I80

Fair

Over: BNSF RR 073-210-R

2E SEWARD INTRCHG, Seward, NE

Built 1964 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 30,530

I80

Fair

Over: BNSF RR

2E SEWARD INTRCHG, Seward, NE

Built 1964 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 30,530

I80/RMP 50/RMP 40

Fair

Over: UPRR

IN OMAHA, Douglas, NE

Built 1962 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 176,745

SB US81

Fair

Over: SHELL CREEK

8NW COLUMBUS, Platte, NE

Built 1998 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 7,875

NB US81

Fair

Over: SHELL CREEK

8NW COLUMBUS, Platte, NE

Built 1998 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 7,875

US83

Fair

Over: SOUTH PLATTE RIVER

IN NORTH PLATTE, Lincoln, NE

Built 1965 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 8,340

N121

Fair

Over: DRY CREEK

7S OSMOND, Pierce, NE

Built 1969 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 1,080

US281/N2

Fair

Over: OLD US30/UPRR

IN GRAND ISLAND, Hall, NE

Built 1961 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 15,865

L79E US26 TO N92

Fair

Over: NORTH PLATTE RIVER

1N MELBETA, Scotts Bluff, NE

Built 1958 Load: 27.0 t ADT: 1,675

ADAMS CENTRAL AVE.

Fair

Over: PAWNEE CREEK

500 N. ADAMS CENTRAL RD, Adams, NE

Built 1970 Load: 28.0 t ADT: 1,500

FAS 2615

Fair

Over: E BR VERDIGRIS CREEK

JCT US20/N14 4.5W 2.2N, Antelope, NE

Built 1977 Load: 28.0 t ADT: 105

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: KEARNEY CANAL

.7W OF ODESSA, Buffalo, NE

Built 1985 Load: 28.0 t ADT: 35

TOWNSHIP ROAD

Fair

Over: STREAM

4E 3.6N LYONS, Burt, NE

Built 1979 Load: 28.0 t ADT: 30

COUNTY ROAD 42

Fair

Over: WILSON CREEK

.4N 1.6W BELLWOOD, Butler, NE

Built 1990 Load: 28.0 t ADT: 50

COUNTY ROAD 42

Fair

Over: BONE CREEK

1.2W OCTAVIA, Butler, NE

Built 1997 Load: 28.0 t ADT: 50

COUNTY ROAD 40

Fair

Over: WILSON CREEK

1S 3.3W BELLWOOD, Butler, NE

Built 1985 Load: 28.0 t ADT: 60

COUNTY ROAD 25

Fair

Over: N BR BIG BLUE RIVER

.2E 2N ULYSSES, Butler, NE

Built 1982 Load: 28.0 t ADT: 200

COUNTY ROAD 38

Fair

Over: STREAM

2N 2E OF DAVID CITY, Butler, NE

Built 1994 Load: 28.0 t ADT: 25

COUNTY ROAD W

Fair

Over: STREAM

.3W .9N LINWOOD, Butler, NE

Built 1998 Load: 28.0 t ADT: 10

FAS 3358

Fair

Over: CALLAHAN CREEK

JCT I80/N63 4S 2.8E, Cass, NE

Built 1952 Load: 28.0 t ADT: 95

558TH AVE

Fair

Over: NORWEGIAN BOW CREEK

JCTUS81/N84 3E 2.2N, Cedar, NE

Built 1980 Load: 28.0 t ADT: 60

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: EAST BOW CREEK

10S OF OBERT, Cedar, NE

Built 1990 Load: 28.0 t ADT: 25

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: EAST BOW CREEK

9S OF OBERT, Cedar, NE

Built 1999 Load: 28.0 t ADT: 20

Showing 3,851-3,900 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.