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

US178

Fair

Over: SHOAL CREEK

.05 MI.S.JCT.SR1180, Transylvania, NC

Built 1978 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,200

NC281

Fair

Over: THOMPSON RIVER

.3 MI.S.JCT.SR1189, Transylvania, NC

Built 1976 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,500

US64

Fair

Over: SOUTH FORK FLAT CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.SR1309, Transylvania, NC

Built 1962 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 6,100

US64

Fair

Over: W.FORK FRENCH BROAD RIVR

.06 MI.W.JCT.SR1320, Transylvania, NC

Built 1962 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 6,800

US276

Fair

Over: LOOKING GLASS CREEK

9.9 MI.N.JCT.US64,NC280, Transylvania, NC

Built 1935 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 210

US64,276

Fair

Over: KING CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.US64BYP., Transylvania, NC

Built 1927 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 29,500

SR1353

Fair

Over: KING CREEK

.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1351, Transylvania, NC

Built 1963 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 480

NC200

Fair

Over: BEAVERDAM CREEK

150 FT. N. JCT. SR2146, Union, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 10,000

NC84

Fair

Over: W FORK TWELVEMILE CREEK

0.5 MI. E. JCT. SR1341, Union, NC

Built 1949 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 7,000

NC84

Fair

Over: PRICE MILL CREEK

0.1 MI. E. JCT. SR1337, Union, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 14,000

US601

Fair

Over: STEWARTS CREEK

0.1 MI. N. JCT. SR1565, Union, NC

Built 1965 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 17,500

NC218

Fair

Over: GRASSY CREEK

0.4 MI. E. JCT. SR1001, Union, NC

Built 1952 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 8,300

SR1006

Fair

Over: RICHARDSON CREEK

0.2 MI. E. JCT. SR1606, Union, NC

Built 1964 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,400

SR1003

Fair

Over: COOL SPRING BRANCH

0.8 MI. W. JCT. SR1005, Union, NC

Built 1994 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 450

STAFFORD STREET

Fair

Over: BEARSKIN CREEK

.29 MI.S.JCT.US74, Union, NC

Built 1992 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,800

SR1514

Fair

Over: S. FORK CROOKED CREEK

0.5 MI. S. JCT. SR1367, Union, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 7,100

SR2115

Fair

Over: LANES CREEK

0.1 MI. S. JCT. SR2118, Union, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,500

SR1514

Fair

Over: NORTH FORK CROOKED CREEK

0.2 MI. S. JCT. SR1520, Union, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 7,700

SR1004

Fair

Over: GOOSE CREEK

0.1 MI. W. JCT. SR1514, Union, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 12,500

SR1006

Fair

Over: GOURDVINE CREEK

0.7 MI. E. JCT. SR1745, Union, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 550

SR1731

Fair

Over: WIDE MOUTH CREEK

50 FT. W. JCT. SR1732, Union, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 520

NC218

Fair

Over: UT TO DUCK CREEK

0.5 MI. W. JCT. SR1525, Union, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 15,000

NC84

Fair

Over: E.FORK TWELVE MILE CREEK

0.6 MI. E. JCT. SR1162, Union, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 13,000

NC207

Fair

Over: BEARSKIN CREEK

0.6 MI. S. JCT. US74, Union, NC

Built 1956 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 14,500

US74

Fair

Over: WIDE MOUTH BRANCH

0.3 MI. E. JCT. SR1731, Union, NC

Built 1968 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 18,500

SUTHERLAND AVENUE

Fair

Over: UT TO RICHARDSON CREEK

.1 MI.N.JCT.US74, Union, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 6,500

STREAMLET WAY

Fair

Over: S.FORK TWELVEMILE CK

250'E.JCT.BROOKVALLEY RUN, Union, NC

Built 2010 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,000

SR1519

Fair

Over: SANDY CREEK

0.4 MI S. OF SR1534, Vance, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,600

I-85

Fair

Over: ANDERSON CREEK

0.5 MI. N. JCT. SR1319, Vance, NC

Built 1962 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 22,000

I-85

Fair

Over: NUTBUSH CREEK

0.1MI.S.MP214, Vance, NC

Built 1970 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 38,500

II85

Fair

Over: RUIN CREEK

1.5 MI. N. JCT. SR1126, Vance, NC

Built 1962 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 44,500

US158

Fair

Over: RUIN CREEK

0.4 MI.E. OF JCT.SR1392, Vance, NC

Built 1962 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 4,800

SR1533

Fair

Over: WEAVER CREEK

0.9 MI. E. SR1526, Vance, NC

Built 2023 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 3,500

SR1295

Fair

Over: RED BUD CREEK

0.6 MI. N. SR1101, Vance, NC

Built 2023 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 7,100

RUSH STREET

Fair

Over: WILDCAT BRANCH

.02 MI. E. JCT.HAMMOND RD, Wake, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 9,200

I40

Fair

Over: BRIER CREEK

0.9 MI.W.SR1002, Wake, NC

Built 1968 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 116,000

US70W,NC50N

Fair

Over: CRABTREE CREEK

0.2 MI. W. JCT. US1, Wake, NC

Built 1952 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 36,250

US64 WBL/RAMP

Fair

Over: SWIFT CREEK

0.1MI S JCT US1, Wake, NC

Built 1959 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 31,000

SR2509

Fair

Over: NEUSE RIVER

0.3 MI. N. JCT. SR2542, Wake, NC

Built 1959 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 4,300

SR2026

Fair

Over: WALNUT CREEK

0.3 MI.N.JCT.I40, Wake, NC

Built 1977 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 20,500

BROOKS AVENUE

Fair

Over: BEAVER DAM CREEK

0.1MI.S.JCT.LAKE BOONE TR, Wake, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,300

NORTH HILLS DRIVE

Fair

Over: MINE CREEK

0.1MI.W.JCT.NORTHBROOK DR, Wake, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 5,600

S.STATE STREET

Fair

Over: WALNUT CREEK

0.07 MI.N.JCT.DARBY ST., Wake, NC

Built 1970 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 3,500

SR3015

Fair

Over: BRIER CREEK

0.1 MI.NE. OF I40, Wake, NC

Built 1971 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,400

SR2000

Fair

Over: PIGEON HOUSE CREEK

0.1 MI NORTH JCT. SR1511, Wake, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 12,000

SR1012

Fair

Over: ROCKY BRANCH

0.1 MI.E.JCT.HUNT DRIVE, Wake, NC

Built 1940 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 29,000

US70,US401RMP

Fair

Over: PIGEON HOUSE CREEK

0.3 MI.E. OF JCT.SR1793, Wake, NC

Built 1958 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 11,666

SR1152

Fair

Over: MIDDLE CREEK

0.3MI.S. OF JCT SR1549, Wake, NC

Built 1951 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 14,000

FENTON STREET

Fair

Over: PIGEON HOUSE CREEK

0.1 MI. W. JCT. SR1511, Wake, NC

Built 1955 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 15,000

US401

Fair

Over: TERRIBLE CREEK

0.2 MI.S. OF JCT.SR2753, Wake, NC

Built 1926 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 11,750

Showing 6,801-6,850 of 18,901 bridges

Related

All states → | National rankings → | Understanding conditions → | SD bridges explained →
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.