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

NC581

Fair

Over: NAHUNTA SWAMP

3.4 MI. S. JCT. NC222, Wayne, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,900

NC581

Fair

Over: GREAT SWAMP

0.7 MI.S.JCT.NC222, Wayne, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,200

NC55

Fair

Over: THUNDER SWAMP

0.3 MI.E.JCT.SR1117, Wayne, NC

Built 1962 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 4,200

NC111

Fair

Over: CABIN BRANCH

0.1 MI. S. JCT. SR1753, Wayne, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 6,000

SR1002

Fair

Over: DENNIS BRANCH

0.5 MI.W. OF JCT.SR 1330, Wayne, NC

Built 1970 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,600

SR1556

Fair

Over: STONEY CREEK

0.1 MI.N.JCT1569, Wayne, NC

Built 1962 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 27,500

NC18

Fair

Over: MORAVIAN CREEK

1 MI.S.JCT.SR1108, Wilkes, NC

Built 1976 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 6,100

US421

Fair

Over: S.PRONG LEWIS FORK CREEK

75 FT.S.JCT.SR1301, Wilkes, NC

Built 1981 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 7,700

US421

Fair

Over: S.PRONG LEWIS FORK CREEK

.9 MI.S.JCT.SR1301, Wilkes, NC

Built 1981 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 9,800

US421

Fair

Over: S.PRONG LEWIS FORK CREEK

.8 MI.N.JCT.SR1302, Wilkes, NC

Built 1981 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 9,800

NC16

Fair

Over: UT TO REDDIES CREEK

200 FT.S.JCT.SR1368, Wilkes, NC

Built 2002 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 10,000

NC268

Fair

Over: YADKIN RIVER

100 FT.W.JCT.SR1161, Wilkes, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 800

US421

Fair

Over: S.PRONG LEWIS FORK CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1303, Wilkes, NC

Built 1981 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 8,700

US421

Fair

Over: MILLER CREEK

.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1321, Wilkes, NC

Built 1955 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 23,000

US421 BYP

Fair

Over: TUCKER HOLE CREEK

.2 MI.S.JCT.SR1322, Wilkes, NC

Built 1955 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 31,500

SR1317

Fair

Over: COAL CREEK

.5 MI.E.JCT.SR1346, Wilkes, NC

Built 2010 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 260

SR2576

Fair

Over: UT TO N.LIL. HUNTING CRK

50 FT.W.JCT.SR2401, Wilkes, NC

Built 1957 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 440

SR1736

Fair

Over: MIDDLE PRONG ROARING RIV

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1746, Wilkes, NC

Built 1978 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 590

SR2303

Fair

Over: YADKIN RIVER

.3 MI.S.JCT.NC268, Wilkes, NC

Built 1964 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 4,300

SR1345

Fair

Over: COAL CREEK

.75 MI.S.JCT.SR1344, Wilkes, NC

Built 2022 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 30

SR1931

Fair

Over: BIG BUGABOO CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.SR1932, Wilkes, NC

Built 1962 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,000

NC16

Fair

Over: MORAVIAN CREEK

0.1 MI.N.JCT.SR2486, Wilkes, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 5,700

NC18

Fair

Over: MALLBERRY CREEK

25 FT.S.JCT.SR1722, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,200

NC18

Fair

Over: BIG WARRIOR CREEK

0.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1123, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 4,000

NC18

Fair

Over: MULBERRY CREEK

100 FT.S.JCT.SR1573, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,600

NC18

Fair

Over: MULBERRY CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1728, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,100

SR1917

Fair

Over: ELKIN CREEK

75 FT.W.JCT.SR1753, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 680

SR1002

Fair

Over: LITTLE SANDY CREEK

.1 MI.N.JCT.SR1940, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,700

SR2355

Fair

Over: FISHING CREEK

.5 MI.E.JCT.SR2338, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 3,600

SR2355

Fair

Over: UT TO FISHING CREEK

.5 MI.E.JCT.SR2340, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,300

SR2307

Fair

Over: UT TO YADKIN RIVER

.2 MI.N.JCT.SR2378, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 870

SR1304

Fair

Over: PURLEAR CREEK

.4 MI.E.JCT.SR1351, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,400

SR2461

Fair

Over: LITTLE CUB CREEK

0.4 MI.W.JCT.SR2534, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 980

SR1315

Fair

Over: UT TO REDDIES RIVER

.4 MI.S.JCT.SR1548, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 940

SR1002

Fair

Over: ELKIN CREEK

0.2 MI. S. US21, Wilkes, NC

Built 2022 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,600

NC42

Fair

Over: LITTLE CREEK

0.1 MI E JCT SR1123, Wilson, NC

Built 1931 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 4,000

US264

Fair

Over: BLOOMERY SWAMP

0.3 MI. E. OF I-95, Wilson, NC

Built 1969 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 23,500

NC58

Fair

Over: CREEK

0.2 MI. N. JCT. SR1382, Wilson, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 12,000

US264A/US301

Fair

Over: HOMINY SWAMP

0.3 MI.N. US264, Wilson, NC

Built 1941 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 21,000

US301 NBL

Fair

Over: TOISNOT SWAMP

1.2 MI. N. JCT.US264&NC58, Wilson, NC

Built 1955 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 18,000

US301

Fair

Over: TOWN CREEK

0.7 MI N. OF JCT. SR1003, Wilson, NC

Built 1958 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 9,500

SR1165

Fair

Over: HOMINY SWAMP

0.3 MI. N. JCT. US264, Wilson, NC

Built 1987 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 13,000

I95

Fair

Over: LITTLE SWAMP

0.1 MI S JCT NC42, Wilson, NC

Built 1977 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 32,000

ELIZABETH ROAD

Fair

Over: HOMINY SWAMP CANAL

0.3 MI.E.JCT.W/NC42, Wilson, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 300

SR1419

Fair

Over: CATTAIL SWAMP

0.4 MI. N. JCT. US301, Wilson, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 900

SR1419

Fair

Over: CATTAIL CREEK

1.4 MI.N.US301, Wilson, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,100

NC111,222

Fair

Over: CREEK

0.3 MI.W.JCT.SR1543, Wilson, NC

Built 1963 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,300

NC222

Fair

Over: L. CONTENTNEA CREEK

0.4 MI.E.JCT.SR1532, Wilson, NC

Built 1963 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 800

SR1192

Fair

Over: HOMINY SWAMP

0.5 MI.E. OF JCT.US264, Wilson, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 15,000

NC111

Fair

Over: WHITEOAK SWAMP

0.3MI N. OF JCT SR1525, Wilson, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,400

Showing 6,901-6,950 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.