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

SR1139

Fair

Over: JACOB FORK RIVER

1.0 MI. S. JCT. SR1131, Catawba, NC

Built 1964 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 850

I40

Fair

Over: UT TO LYLE CREEK

1.6 MI. E. JCT. SR1716, Catawba, NC

Built 1957 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 36,500

US421N

Fair

Over: NORFOLK SOUTHERN RR

0.3 MI. N. JCT. SR1007, Chatham, NC

Built 1957 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 7,500

SR1101

Fair

Over: BRUSH CREEK

1.0 MI. S. JCT. US64, Chatham, NC

Built 1970 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 400

SR1555

Fair

Over: TERRELLS CREEK

0.5MI. W. JCT. SR1506, Chatham, NC

Built 1971 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 250

SR1326

Fair

Over: LOUISVILLE,NASHVILLE RR

.3 MI.N.JCT.US19BUS, Cherokee, NC

Built 1945 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 4,400

SR1163

Fair

Over: GEISKY CREEK

.25 MI.N.JCT.SR1163, Clay, NC

Built 1966 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 160

SR1108

Fair

Over: SHOAL CREEK

0.8 MI. S. JCT. NC18, Cleveland, NC

Built 1965 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 630

SR1161

Fair

Over: SEABOARD COAST LINE RR

0.1 MI. S. JCT. SR1323, Cleveland, NC

Built 1969 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 750

SR1337

Fair

Over: FIRST BROAD RIVER

0.1 MI. W. JCT. SR1872, Cleveland, NC

Built 1968 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 2,700

SR1158

Fair

Over: BEAVERDAM CREEK

0.3 MI. S. JCT. SR2541, Cleveland, NC

Built 1976 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 4,100

SR1634

Fair

Over: LITTLE KNOB CREEK

0.5 MI. N. JCT. SR1635, Cleveland, NC

Built 1970 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 290

SR1637

Fair

Over: MAULS SWAMP

0.5 MI.S.JCT.US17, Craven, NC

Built 1977 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 620

NC306 FERRY

Fair

Over: NEUSE RIVER

CHERRY BRANCH, Craven, NC

Built 2014 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 3,200

SR1839

Fair

Over: GUM LOG CANAL

0.2 MI S JCT SR1838, Cumberland, NC

Built 1962 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 660

SR3345

Fair

Over: SOUTHERN RAILWAY

0.2 MI.S.JCT.US29B & US70, Davidson, NC

Built 1953 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 14,000

I85N.BUS,US29,U70

Fair

Over: LEONARD CREEK

0.2 MI. S. JCT. SR2002, Davidson, NC

Built 1951 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 8,500

SR1632

Fair

Over: ELLERBEE CREEK

0.5 MI.S.SR1636, Durham, NC

Built 1978 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 11,500

SR2456

Fair

Over: N & W RAILROAD

0.4 MI. N. JCT. SR2264, Forsyth, NC

Built 1977 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 12,500

SR1436

Fair

Over: SANDY CREEK

150' N. JCT. SR1432, Franklin, NC

Built 1978 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 500

SR1449

Fair

Over: SANDY CREEK

2.4 MI S JCT SR1448, Franklin, NC

Built 1970 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 110

SR1719

Fair

Over: CROOKED CREEK

1.1 MI S. JCT NC39, Franklin, NC

Built 1974 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 2,600

SR1002

Fair

Over: INDIAN CREEK

0.6 MI.N.JCT.SR1636, Gaston, NC

Built 1965 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 2,300

SR1812

Fair

Over: ABANDONED RAILROAD

0.6 MI. E. JCT. US321, Gaston, NC

Built 1970 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 600

SR2021

Fair

Over: SEABOARD RAILROAD

0.5 MI. N. JCT. SR2026, Gaston, NC

Built 1967 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 6,800

SR1404

Fair

Over: BRANCH MERCHANTS MILL PD

0.3 MI N. JCT. SR1408, Gates, NC

Built 1950 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 220

SR1222

Fair

Over: CONTENTNEA CREEK

0.3 MI. E. JCT. SR1221, Greene, NC

Built 1975 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 900

S.ELM-EUGENE ST.

Fair

Over: SOUTH BUFFALO CREEK

0.15 MI. S. JCT. I-40, Guilford, NC

Built 1978 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 31,000

NC68

Fair

Over: WEST FORK DEEP RIVER

1.2 MI. N. JCT. US311, Guilford, NC

Built 1934 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 42,000

SR2711

Fair

Over: HAW RIVER

0.1 MI. N. JCT. SR2710, Guilford, NC

Built 1963 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 720

ELKHART DR/HOLLY D

Fair

Over: STREAM

@ JCT.WEST CONE BLVD., Guilford, NC

Built 1957 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 900

NC903

Fair

Over: DEEP CREEK

0.9 MI.N.JCT.SR1432, Halifax, NC

Built 1955 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 1,000

SR1380

Fair

Over: FINES CREEK

100 FT.E.JCT.SR1334, Haywood, NC

Built 1960 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 400

US276

Fair

Over: EAST FORK PIGEON RIVER

50 FT.N.JCT.SR1102, Haywood, NC

Built 1938 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 3,700

SR1889

Fair

Over: PISGAH CREEK

25 FT.N.JCT.SR1888, Haywood, NC

Built 1957 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 20

NC45 FERRY

Fair

Over: SWAN QUARTER BAY

.36MI.N.JCT.NC45 & SR1133, Hyde, NC

Built 2001 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 300

SR2156

Fair

Over: SOUTH YADKIN RIVER

0.7 MI. N. JCT. SR2157, Iredell, NC

Built 1968 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 430

SR2167

Fair

Over: FIFTH CREEK

0.5 MI. N. JCT. SR2155, Iredell, NC

Built 1969 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 360

SR2110

Fair

Over: LITTLE BUFFALO CREEK

0.7MI.S.JCT.SR2148, Johnston, NC

Built 1980 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 580

SR1400

Fair

Over: SOUTHERN RR

0.6 MI. N. JCT. SR1403, Lee, NC

Built 1951 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 3,100

SR1732

Fair

Over: STONYTON CREEK

0.6 MI. W. JCT. SR1733, Lenoir, NC

Built 1980 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 700

SR1406

Fair

Over: LITHIA INN BRANCH

0.1 MI. N. JCT. SR1258, Lincoln, NC

Built 1923 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 4,000

SR1667

Fair

Over: LITTLE TENNESSEE RIVER

.15 MI.E.JCT.SR1729, Macon, NC

Built 1979 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 5,300

SR1369

Fair

Over: TELLICO CREEK

.8 MI.W.JCT.SR1368, Macon, NC

Built 1959 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 90

SR1310

Fair

Over: NANTAHALA RIVER

2.0 MI.N.JCT.SR1412, Macon, NC

Built 1950 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 800

RUNWAY ROAD

Fair

Over: IOTLA CREEK

.1 MI.N.JCT.SR1434, Macon, NC

Built 1969 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 90

NC212

Fair

Over: SHELTON LAUREL CREEK

.02 MI.W.JCT.SR1414, Madison, NC

Built 1965 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 450

SR1155

Fair

Over: BIG PINE CREEK

.02 MI.S.JCT.SR1151, Madison, NC

Built 1977 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 160

SR1107

Fair

Over: SANDY MUSH CREEK

.05 MI.N.JCT.NC63, Madison, NC

Built 1981 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 250

US64ALT

Fair

Over: BEAVER DAM CREEK

0.3 MI. W. JCT. SR1410, Martin, NC

Built 1921 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 2,600

Showing 5,301-5,350 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.