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

US421

Fair

Over: LOVE'S CREEK

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

Built 1982 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 14,000

SECOND STREET

Fair

Over: LOVES CREEK

0.1MI.W.JCT.S.CHTM. AVE., Chatham, NC

Built 1930 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,800

NC42

Fair

Over: TYSONS CREEK

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

Built 1963 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 350

SR2303

Fair

Over: LITTLE INDIAN CREEK

0.3 MI. S. JCT. SR2314, Chatham, NC

Built 1953 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 200

NC902

Fair

Over: FALLS CREEK

0.8 MI. E. JCT. SR2325, Chatham, NC

Built 1970 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,100

SR1300

Fair

Over: TRIB.ROCKY RIVER

0.9 MI. N. JCT. SR1301, Chatham, NC

Built 1970 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 740

SR1300

Fair

Over: ROCKY RIVER

0.3 MI. S. JCT. SR1307, Chatham, NC

Built 1970 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 550

SR2305

Fair

Over: INDIAN CREEK

2.0 MI. W. JCT. SR2306, Chatham, NC

Built 1970 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 150

SR1151

Fair

Over: FLAT CREEK

1.0 MI. S. JCT. SR1145, Chatham, NC

Built 1966 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,100

NC902

Fair

Over: LITTLE BEAR CREEK

0.7 MI. W. JCT. SR2181, Chatham, NC

Built 1951 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,200

US1

Fair

Over: SHADDOX CREEK

1.2 MI. S. JCT. SR1011, Chatham, NC

Built 1957 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 27,500

SR2303

Fair

Over: BR.LITTLE INDIAN CREEK

0.1 MI. W. JCT. SR2331, Chatham, NC

Built 1968 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 310

US19,129

Fair

Over: COBB CREEK

.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1556, Cherokee, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 5,700

US64,74

Fair

Over: PERSIMMON CREEK

50 FT.E.JCT.SR1130, Cherokee, NC

Built 1969 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 4,400

US19,64

Fair

Over: CANE CREEK

.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1579, Cherokee, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 18,000

US19,74,129

Fair

Over: HYATT CREEK

50 FT.S.JCT.SR1429, Cherokee, NC

Built 1979 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 10,000

SR1535

Fair

Over: MILL BRANCH

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1540, Cherokee, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,300

SR1505

Fair

Over: JUNALUSKA CREEK

2.7 MI.E.JCT.SR1502, Cherokee, NC

Built 1955 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 650

SR1505

Fair

Over: JUNALUSKA CREEK

3 MI.E.JCT.SR1502, Cherokee, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 650

SR1428

Fair

Over: MORRIS CREEK

50 FT.S.JCT.SR1383, Cherokee, NC

Built 1920 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,300

NC294

Fair

Over: UT TO CAMP CREEK

1.4MI.E.JCT.SR1317, Cherokee, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 850

SR1204

Fair

Over: BRANCH

2 MI.N.JCT.SR1130, Chowan, NC

Built 1951 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 3,900

US64

Fair

Over: SWEETWATER CREEK

.05 MI.W.JCT.SR1367, Clay, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 8,300

US64

Fair

Over: LICKLOG CREEK

0.1 MI.E.JCT.SR1332, Clay, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 5,700

NC18

Fair

Over: BOWENS RIVER

0.3 MI. N. JCT. SR1135, Cleveland, NC

Built 1955 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 5,500

US74 EBL

Fair

Over: BEAVERDAM CREEK

0.1 MI. E. JCT. SR1247, Cleveland, NC

Built 1952 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 10,250

FOREST HILL DRIVE

Fair

Over: HICKORY CREEK

0.15 MI.W.JCT.PEACH ST., Cleveland, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,000

SR1651

Fair

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

0.5 MI. W. JCT. SR1653, Cleveland, NC

Built 1969 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 150

SR1657

Fair

Over: LITTLE BUFFALO CREEK

0.3 MI. N. JCT. SR1905, Cleveland, NC

Built 1973 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 210

SR1343

Fair

Over: BRUSHY CREEK BRANCH

0.5 MI. N. JCT. NC226, Cleveland, NC

Built 1961 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,500

SR 1337

Fair

Over: LITTLE CREEK

0.4 MI. E. JCT. SR1341, Cleveland, NC

Built 1955 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,000

SR1337

Fair

Over: UT TO MAYNE CREEK

0.4 MI. E. JCT. SR1325, Cleveland, NC

Built 1965 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 540

SR2001

Fair

Over: MUDDY FORK CREEK

0.4 MI. W. JCT. SR2000, Cleveland, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 990

SR1809

Fair

Over: BIG HARRIS CREEK

0.2 MI. E. JCT. SR1812, Cleveland, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 400

SR1809

Fair

Over: LITTLE HARRIS CREEK

0.1 MI. W. JCT. SR1813, Cleveland, NC

Built 1955 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,800

SR1813

Fair

Over: BIG HARRIS CREEK

0.4 MI. N. JCT. SR1364, Cleveland, NC

Built 1955 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,900

SR1950

Fair

Over: HICKORY CREEK

0.4 MI. E. JCT. NC18, Cleveland, NC

Built 1976 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 8,300

US74 & SR2604

Fair

Over: POTTS CREEK

0.5 MI. E. JCT. US74, Cleveland, NC

Built 1981 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 33,500

I85

Fair

Over: KINGS CREEK

1.0 MI. N. JCT. SR2283, Cleveland, NC

Built 1955 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 47,500

SR1108

Fair

Over: GRISSETT SWAMP

0.7 MI.N. OF JCT.NC904, Columbus, NC

Built 1982 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 720

US701

Fair

Over: BROWDER BRANCH

0.1 MI.N.JCT.SR1545, Columbus, NC

Built 1931 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 3,300

US701

Fair

Over: BUTLER BRANCH

0.3MI.N. OF JCT.SR1545, Columbus, NC

Built 1931 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 3,400

US701N,NC410N

Fair

Over: GRISSETT SWAMP

0.2 MI.S.JCT.SR1151, Columbus, NC

Built 1957 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 15,000

NC11

Fair

Over: WEYMAN CREEK

0.2 MI. S. JCT. NC87, Columbus, NC

Built 1954 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 3,700

NC211

Fair

Over: FRIARS SWAMP

1.7 MI.N.JCT.US74/US76, Columbus, NC

Built 1969 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,400

NC131

Fair

Over: WESTERN PRONG CREEK

0.5 MI. S. JCT. SR1003, Columbus, NC

Built 1949 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,100

US701

Fair

Over: WESTERN PRONG CREEK

500'N.JCT.SR1005, Columbus, NC

Built 1931 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 3,300

US701

Fair

Over: BEAVERDAM SWAMP

0.3 MI.N. OF JCT.SR1179, Columbus, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 8,700

NC242

Fair

Over: COW BRANCH

0.2 MI. N. JCT. US74, Columbus, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,100

US74

Fair

Over: PINELOG BRANCH

1.5 MI.E. OF JCT.SR1585, Columbus, NC

Built 1972 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 17,000

Showing 5,951-6,000 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.