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

SR1381

Fair

Over: NEWFOUND CREEK

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

Built 2014 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 340

NC63

Fair

Over: SOUTHERN RAILROAD

.5 MI.N.JCT.US19,23, Buncombe, NC

Built 1989 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 27,000

SR3439

Fair

Over: BILL MOORE CREEK

.6 MI.S.JCT.SR3437, Buncombe, NC

Built 2013 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,600

NC63

Fair

Over: GOUGHES BRANCH

.03 MI.E.JCT.SR1002, Buncombe, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 14,000

NC63

Fair

Over: NORTH TURKEY CREEK

.03 MI.W.JCT.SR1613, Buncombe, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 5,300

US25A

Fair

Over: SWEETEN CREEK

.44 MI.S.JCT.NC81, Buncombe, NC

Built 1949 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 11,000

NC9

Fair

Over: SWANNANOA RIVER

.06 MI.N.JCT.I-40, Buncombe, NC

Built 1977 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 8,100

I-40

Fair

Over: POLE CREEK

.45 MI.W.JCT.SR1220, Buncombe, NC

Built 1966 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 51,500

I-40

Fair

Over: RAGSDALE CREEK

0.2 MI.E.JCT.US19,23, Buncombe, NC

Built 1966 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 37,250

SR3451

Fair

Over: SOUTH HOMINY CREEK

.02 MI.S.JCT.NC151, Buncombe, NC

Built 1979 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 350

I-240,US70,RAMPS

Fair

Over: HAW CREEK

.43 MI.W.JCT.US74, Buncombe, NC

Built 1980 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 59,500

I-40

Fair

Over: GASHES CREEK

.25 MI.W.JCT.I240, Buncombe, NC

Built 1977 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 34,000

SR3136

Fair

Over: ROBINSON CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR3116, Buncombe, NC

Built 1947 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 7,300

SR1634

Fair

Over: WHITTIER BRANCH

.01 MI.S.JCT.SR1638, Buncombe, NC

Built 1965 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 790

SR2230

Fair

Over: BEAVERDAM CREEK

.6 MI.N.JCT.US25, Buncombe, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,700

US25,70

Fair

Over: FLAT CREEK

.3 MI.N.JCT.SR1740, Buncombe, NC

Built 1982 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 12,500

STUYVESANT ROAD

Fair

Over: BROWN BRANCH

.4MI.S.JCT.BROWN TOWN RD., Buncombe, NC

Built 1923 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 200

US19,23

Fair

Over: SMITH MILL CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.I240, Buncombe, NC

Built 1969 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 51,000

US19,23

Fair

Over: RAGSDALE CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.I40, Buncombe, NC

Built 1956 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 32,000

US19,23

Fair

Over: SMITH MILL CREEK

0.02 MI.W.JCT.NC63, Buncombe, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 44,500

NC251

Fair

Over: REED CREEK

.56 MI.W.JCT.SR1674, Buncombe, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 6,800

US70

Fair

Over: ROSS CREEK

0.4 MI.W.JCT.US74, Buncombe, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 19,000

US70

Fair

Over: FLAT CREEK

.1 MI.W.JCT.SR2515, Buncombe, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 7,600

SR1004

Fair

Over: NEWFOUND CREEK

.4 MI.W.JCT.SR1220, Buncombe, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,800

SR1004

Fair

Over: NEW FOUND CREEK

1.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1220, Buncombe, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,600

SR1620

Fair

Over: SLUDER BRANCH

.05 MI.S.JCT.SR1617, Buncombe, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 3,800

SHENANDOAH TERRACE

Fair

Over: FLAT CREEK

100' E.ASSEMBLY DR., Buncombe, NC

Built 1983 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 100

BEAVER VALLEY ROAD

Fair

Over: BEAVERDAM CREEK

0.05 MI. N. SR2053, Buncombe, NC

Built 2008 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 50

MEADOWVIEW ROAD

Fair

Over: BEAVERDAM CREEK

0.1 MI.N.BEAVERDAM ROAD, Buncombe, NC

Built 2008 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 75

US64

Fair

Over: HALL CREEK

0.2 MI.E.JCT.SR1969, Burke, NC

Built 1958 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 4,800

US64

Fair

Over: SHOAL CREEK

.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1968, Burke, NC

Built 1958 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 4,800

US64

Fair

Over: BAILEY FORK

.2 MI.W.JCT.SR1985, Burke, NC

Built 1954 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 8,300

NC18

Fair

Over: EAST PRONG HUNTING CREEK

.3 MI.S.JCT.SR1811, Burke, NC

Built 1952 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 5,400

SR1116

Fair

Over: CLEAR CREEK

.4 MI.E.JCT.SR1117, Burke, NC

Built 1990 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 500

I40

Fair

Over: HUNTING CREEK

.5 MI.E.JCT.US64, Burke, NC

Built 1956 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 44,000

I-40

Fair

Over: UT TO MICOL CREEK

.4 MI.E.JCT.SR1744, Burke, NC

Built 1956 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 45,000

SR1965

Fair

Over: CLEAR CREEK

.2 MI.S.JCT.SR1989, Burke, NC

Built 1978 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 100

SR1621

Fair

Over: DROWNING CREEK

.7 MI.S.JCT.SR1611, Burke, NC

Built 1955 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 3,400

SR1805

Fair

Over: ABEE CREEK

0.05 MI.E.JCT.SR1786, Burke, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 750

SR1001

Fair

Over: NORFOLK SOUTHERN RR

.2 MI.S.JCT.US70, Burke, NC

Built 2001 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 14,500

US601

Fair

Over: MUDDY CREEK

0.1 MI.N.JCT.SR1189, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1969 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 7,800

SR2442

Fair

Over: UT TO LITTLE BUFFALO CRK

0.5 MI. S. JCT. SR2416, Cabarrus, NC

Built 2005 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 90

NC73

Fair

Over: IRISH BUFFALO CREEK

1.0 MI. E. JCT. SR1429, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1969 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 18,500

NC73

Fair

Over: THREEMILE BRANCH CREEK

0.05 MI.W.JCT.NC136, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1972 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 6,600

NC73

Fair

Over: MCALLISTER CREEK

0.2 MI. W. JCT. SR2417, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1954 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 7,800

NC49

Fair

Over: UT TO BIG BEAR CREEK

0.3 MI. S. JCT. SR2450, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1947 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 5,800

SR1166

Fair

Over: BACK CREEK

0.4 MI. N. JCT. SR1168, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1994 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 11,500

SR1141

Fair

Over: CALDWELL CREEK

0.2 MI. W. JCT. SR1136, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1997 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 3,000

SR1134

Fair

Over: CALDWELL CREEK

0.5 MI. N. JCT. SR1135, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1956 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 740

SR1430/I85 RAMP

Fair

Over: AFTON RUN BRANCH

0.55 MI.N.JCT.SR1394, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1955 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 30,000

Showing 5,851-5,900 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.