State profile · Near national median SD

North Carolina bridge safety

Condition ratings, load ratings, and structural-deficiency data for every public highway bridge in North Carolina — drawn straight from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory.

18,901
Public bridges
35.8%
Good condition
6.2%
Poor condition
6.2%
Structurally deficient

Total Bridges

18,901

Public highway bridges in North Carolina

Good Condition

35.8%

6,773 bridges rated 7-9

-14.2pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

6.2%

1,165 bridges rated 0-4

Structurally Deficient

6.2%

1,165 bridges flagged for repair priority

-0.8pp vs national avg 7.0%

North Carolina vs national bridge condition

North Carolina — Good condition share 35.8%
National avg

Share of bridges rated 7-9 on the FHWA 0-9 scale (deck, superstructure, substructure all good).

North Carolina — Structurally deficient share 20.5%
National avg

Lower is better. Bar maxes at 30% (worst-state ceiling). National average sits at 7.0%.

Condition Distribution

Bridge inventory deck-condition mix — North Carolina (FHWA NBI)

North Carolina35.83408285275912%41.415798105920324%GoodFairPoorStructurally Deficient
Bridge inventory deck-condition mix — North Carolina (FHWA NBI)

Counties (100)

Alamance 21 Alexander 26 Alleghany 117 Anson 162 Ashe 247 Avery 108 Beaufort 154 Bertie 95 Bladen 123 Brunswick 166 Buncombe 555 Burke 231 Cabarrus 236 Caldwell 201 Camden 28 Carteret 55 Caswell 90 Catawba 236 Chatham 241 Cherokee 163 Chowan 38 Clay 63 Cleveland 270 Columbus 226 Craven 147 Cumberland 348 Currituck 22 Dare 40 Davidson 340 Davie 93 Duplin 208 Durham 315 Edgecombe 147 Forsyth 454 Franklin 118 Gaston 232 Gates 41 Graham 94 Granville 149 Greene 62 Guilford 736 Halifax 158 Harnett 134 Haywood 286 Henderson 245 Hertford 58 Hoke 136 Hyde 75 Iredell 335 Jackson 234 Johnston 318 Jones 82 Lee 98 Lenoir 145 Lincoln 169 Macon 223 Madison 244 Martin 124 McDowell 234 Mecklenburg 746 Mitchell 127 Montgomery 151 Moore 178 Nash 261 New Hanover 123 Northampton 83 Onslow 172 Orange 189 Pamlico 45 Pasquotank 54 Pender 112 Perquimans 39 Person 106 Pitt 228 Polk 127 Randolph 401 Richmond 154 Robeson 285 Rockingham 229 Rowan 245 Rutherford 298 Sampson 196 Scotland 101 Stanly 163 Stokes 150 Surry 308 Swain 129 Transylvania 162 Tyrrell 28 Union 353 Vance 75 Wake 760 Warren 84 Washington 59 Watauga 200 Wayne 208 Wilkes 349 Wilson 195 Yadkin 168 Yancey 164

North Carolina vs nearby ranks

Adjacent states on the structurally deficient leaderboard (lower share = better)

States are ranked by share of bridges flagged structurally deficient — the FHWA classification for any span where deck, superstructure, or substructure carries a condition rating of 4 or below. Lower percentages indicate stronger maintenance funding and inspection follow-through. States here sit immediately above and below North Carolina on the same metric.

45

South Carolina

6.10% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$5,396

55

Wisconsin

6.13% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$14,851
Selected

37

North Carolina

6.16% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$18,901

15

Hawaii

6.47% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$1,206

30

Montana

6.70% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$5,122

Bridges Needing Most Attention in North Carolina

Six lowest-condition bridges in North Carolina, ranked by composite NBI rating. Each is inspected at least every 24 months.

SR1216

Structurally Deficient

Over: WEST FORK PIGEON RIVER

100 FT.E.JCT.NC215, Haywood, NC

Built 1920 Load: 1.8 t ADT: 30

TSALI ENOLA ROAD

Structurally Deficient

Over: SOCO CREEK

TSALI ENOLA ROAD, Swain, NC

Built 1960 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 10

HORNBUCKLE CREEKRD

Poor

Over: HORNBUCKLE CREEK

389 HORNBUCKLE CREEK ROAD, Swain, NC

Built 1950 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 5

SR1630

Poor

Over: KIT CREEK

1.8MI.N.JCT.NC55, Wake, NC

Built 1975 Load: 2.7 t ADT: 12,500

SR1340

Poor

Over: NORTH FORK NEW RIVER

.1 MI.N.JCT.NC88, Ashe, NC

Built 1977 Load: 3.6 t ADT: 500

SR1323

Poor

Over: CANAL

0.05 MI.N.JCT.1300, Tyrrell, NC

Built 1961 Load: 3.6 t ADT: 650

All Bridges in North Carolina

I87N,US64E

Fair

Over: MARKS CREEK

0.3 MI. W SR2501, Wake, NC

Built 2002 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 52,500

SR1325

Fair

Over: CONABY CREEK

0.1MI.W.JCT.SR1300, Washington, NC

Built 1953 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 2,000

SR1560

Fair

Over: MOODY MILL CREEK

180 FT .W.JCT.SR1559, Watauga, NC

Built 1962 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 1,000

SR1305

Fair

Over: SAWYER CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.SR1365, Watauga, NC

Built 1996 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 90

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Fair

Over: GOSHEN CREEK & NC ROUTE

10 MILES FROM U.S. ROUTE, Watauga, NC

Built 1949 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 2,300

US70 BUS.

Fair

Over: SCL RAILROAD

.2 MI E OFJCT US13,70&117, Wayne, NC

Built 1926 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 8,800

US13,US117 N

Fair

Over: NEUSE RIVER

0.3 MI N. OF JCT. SR1926, Wayne, NC

Built 1954 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 12,000

US13,US70,US117N

Fair

Over: SCLRR

0.4 MI N. JCT US70BUS, Wayne, NC

Built 1949 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 13,000

SR1900

Fair

Over: STONEY CREEK

0.9 MI.S.JCT.US70BUS, Wayne, NC

Built 1987 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 8,900

SR1502

Fair

Over: HOOPERS BRANCH

200 FT.S.JCT.SR1517, Wilkes, NC

Built 1961 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 1,300

SR1913

Fair

Over: ELKIN CREEK

.7 MI.S.JCT.SR1912, Wilkes, NC

Built 1971 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 330

SR1564

Fair

Over: ROTEN CREEK

1.5 MI.N.JCT.SR1562, Wilkes, NC

Built 1964 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 60

SR1727

Fair

Over: MULBERRY CREEK

100 FT. E. JCT. NC18, Wilkes, NC

Built 1962 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 100

STONE MTN.

Fair

Over: EAST PRONG ROARING RIVER

2.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1737, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 100

STONE MTN.

Fair

Over: GARDEN CREEK

1.5 MI.N.JCT.SR1737, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 100

SR1144

Fair

Over: LITTLE CRABTREE CREEK

.05 MI.S.JCT.US19E, Yancey, NC

Built 1972 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 150

SR1154

Fair

Over: BROWN CREEK

.4 MI.S.JCT.NC80, Yancey, NC

Built 1959 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 550

NFSR 475

Fair

Over: DAVIDSON RIVER

4.2 MI. W. JCT. US 276, Transylvania, NC

Built 1939 Load: 27.9 t ADT: 9

SR1353

Fair

Over: BIG HORSE CREEK

.6 MI.S.JCT.SR1381, Ashe, NC

Built 1956 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 690

SR1609

Fair

Over: CRANBERRY CREEK

0.7 MI. E. JCT. SR1612, Ashe, NC

Built 1964 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 100

SR1318

Fair

Over: RICH HILL CREEK

25 FT.N.JCT.SR1317, Ashe, NC

Built 1967 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 40

SR1514

Fair

Over: STACK ROCK CREEK

.7 MI.E.JCT.US221, Avery, NC

Built 1958 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 200

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Fair

Over: U.S. ROUTE 221

7.0 MILES FROM US. ROUTE, Avery, NC

Built 1969 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 810

US701

Fair

Over: LONG BRANCH

0.4 MI.N. OF JCT. SR1527, Bladen, NC

Built 1954 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 2,800

US701

Fair

Over: SOUTH RIVER

0.7 MI.N. OF JCT.SR1527, Bladen, NC

Built 1954 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 3,200

SR1641

Fair

Over: JENKINS BRANCH

.7 MI.S.JCT.SR1640, Buncombe, NC

Built 1960 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 900

US19,23,74

Fair

Over: POLE CREEK

.06 MI.N.JCT.SR1153, Buncombe, NC

Built 1936 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 24,500

SR1297

Fair

Over: NEWFOUND CREEK

.4 MI.W.JCT.SR1378, Buncombe, NC

Built 1978 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 200

SR1302

Fair

Over: DIX CREEK

.4 MI.S.JCT.SR1002, Buncombe, NC

Built 1968 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 790

US74A

Fair

Over: SWANNANOA RIVER

.05 MI.E.JCT.NC81, Buncombe, NC

Built 1926 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 15,000

SR2178

Fair

Over: MINERAL CREEK

1.4 MI.S.JCT.SR2173, Buncombe, NC

Built 1970 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 350

SR1155

Fair

Over: HOMINY CREEK

.01 MI.W.JCT.SR1128, Buncombe, NC

Built 1936 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 1,800

SR1726

Fair

Over: MCGALLIARD CREEK

0.2 MI.S.JCT.US64,70, Burke, NC

Built 1973 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 850

NC73

Fair

Over: COLD WATER CREEK

0.2 MI. E. JCT. SR2407, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1924 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 12,500

US64,NC18

Fair

Over: ZACKS FORK CREEK

.1 MI.W.JCT.US321, Caldwell, NC

Built 1924 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 23,000

US321A

Fair

Over: BLAIR FORK

200 FT.N.JCT.SR1300, Caldwell, NC

Built 1950 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 8,400

NC42

Fair

Over: FALLS CREEK

0.7 MI. E. JCT. NC22, Chatham, NC

Built 1963 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 750

US15,501

Fair

Over: ROBERTSONS CREEK

0.15 MI. S. JCT. SR1949, Chatham, NC

Built 1954 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 10,500

NC42

Fair

Over: NORFOLK SOUTHERN RR

0.11 MI. E. JCT. SR1921, Chatham, NC

Built 1937 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 2,800

SR2314

Fair

Over: TYSONS CREEK

0.9 MI. W. JCT. SR1006, Chatham, NC

Built 2002 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 320

SR1331

Fair

Over: BEAVERDAM CREEK

.5 MI.W.JCT.SR1336, Cherokee, NC

Built 1976 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 100

SR1564

Fair

Over: BRASSTOWN CREEK

100 FT.E.JCT.SR1548, Cherokee, NC

Built 1981 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 1,700

US19B

Fair

Over: TATHAM CREEK

.05 MI.N.JCT.SR1392, Cherokee, NC

Built 1965 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 1,500

US701 BYP

Fair

Over: PINELOG SWAMP

0.4 MI.S.JCT.SR1437, Columbus, NC

Built 1955 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 15,500

US64

Fair

Over: LEONARDS CREEK

0.1 MI. E. JCT. SR1603, Davie, NC

Built 1932 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 8,300

NC11

Fair

Over: GROVE CREEK

0.1 MI. S. JCT. SR1378, Duplin, NC

Built 1922 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 3,600

US15,US501N

Fair

Over: SANDY CREEK

0.2 MI.S. OF JCT.SR1308, Durham, NC

Built 1956 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 51,000

US64 BUS.

Fair

Over: COWLICK BRANCH

0.2 MI. E. OF NC43, Edgecombe, NC

Built 1922 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 13,000

NC124

Fair

Over: BYNUM MILL CREEK

0.3 MI E JCT NC111, Edgecombe, NC

Built 1940 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 1,100

SR2435

Fair

Over: CATAWBA CREEK

0.3 MI. N. JCT. SR2692, Gaston, NC

Built 1975 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 4,600

Showing 5,151-5,200 of 18,901 bridges

Related

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Data sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI), latest released cycle. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges Editorial.

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). A "structurally deficient" rating is a repair-priority signal, not a closure or unsafe-to-cross designation. Consult a qualified civil engineer before making decisions based on this data.

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.