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

US17BUS

Fair

Over: PAMLICO RIVER

3.1 MI. N. OF JCT. NC33, Beaufort, NC

Built 1928 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 25,750

US264

Fair

Over: MAPLE BRANCH

0.5 MI. E. JCT.SR1409, Beaufort, NC

Built 1962 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 20,000

NC211

Fair

Over: BROWN MARSH SWAMP

0.45 MI.N.JCT.SR1759, Bladen, NC

Built 1929 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 3,700

NC11

Fair

Over: LYON SWAMP CANAL

0.3 MI.S. OF JCT.SR1543, Bladen, NC

Built 1952 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 2,300

NC 210

Fair

Over: CYPRESS CREEK

0.2 MI.S. SR1554, Bladen, NC

Built 1977 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 900

NC133

Fair

Over: ORTON CREEK

1.9 MI.N.JCT.NC87, Brunswick, NC

Built 1955 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 6,600

SR2800

Fair

Over: CANE CREEK

.2 MI.S.JCT.SR2776, Buncombe, NC

Built 1961 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 1,400

SR2107

Fair

Over: REEMS CREEK

.3 MI.S.JCT.SR1003, Buncombe, NC

Built 1958 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 40

SR3486

Fair

Over: SPAIN BRANCH

.05 MI.E.JCT.SR3488, Buncombe, NC

Built 1978 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 1,200

CHESTNUT STREET

Fair

Over: UT TO REED CREEK

0.01MI.W.JCT.BROADWAY ST., Buncombe, NC

Built 1991 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 2,450

SR2740

Fair

Over: SOUTHERN RAILROAD

.3 MI.S.JCT.US70, Buncombe, NC

Built 1970 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 2,600

SR3238

Fair

Over: SOUTHERN RAILROAD

.2 MI.S.JCT.I-240, Buncombe, NC

Built 1977 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 19,000

US64BUS

Fair

Over: SOUTHERN RR

50 FT.N.JCT.US 70BYPASS, Burke, NC

Built 1929 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 22,000

SR1233

Fair

Over: OLD CATAWABA RIVER

0.6 MI.N.JCT.US70, Burke, NC

Built 1966 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 2,000

US70 BYPASS

Fair

Over: HUNTING CREEK

.3 MI.W.JCT.US64,70BYP., Burke, NC

Built 1955 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 11,000

I-40 WBL

Fair

Over: SILVER CREEK

.3 MI.E.I-40WBL SR1142, Burke, NC

Built 1956 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 20,750

SR1619

Fair

Over: DROWNING CREEK

.6 MI.E.JCT.SR1618, Burke, NC

Built 1981 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 450

LAWNDALE AVE.

Fair

Over: THREE MILE BRANCH

0.03MI.S.JCT.BRANCHVIEW, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1996 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 2,400

SR2154

Fair

Over: SANDY CREEK

0.49 MI. N. JCT. SR2114, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1980 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 6,400

US321

Fair

Over: LOWER CREEK

.3 MI.S.JCT.NC18, Caldwell, NC

Built 1954 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 28,000

SR1367

Fair

Over: JOHNS RIVER

20 FT.S.JCT.SR1360, Caldwell, NC

Built 1961 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 200

SR1366

Fair

Over: THUNDERHOLE CREEK

1.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1367, Caldwell, NC

Built 2012 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 80

NC10

Fair

Over: CLARK CREEK

0.1 MI. W. JCT. SR1153, Catawba, NC

Built 1981 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 9,900

SR2776

Fair

Over: BALLS CREEK

0.5 MI. W. JCT. SR1003, Catawba, NC

Built 1954 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 3,100

SR1849

Fair

Over: MT CREEK / LAKE NORMAN

0.7 MI. N. JCT. SR1815, Catawba, NC

Built 1959 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 2,600

SR2187

Fair

Over: BEAR CREEK

0.6 MI. N. JCT. SR1010, Chatham, NC

Built 1968 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 300

SR1389

Fair

Over: VALLEY RIVER

.2 MI.N.JCT.US19,74,129, Cherokee, NC

Built 1961 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 280

SR1336

Fair

Over: COOK CREEK

1.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1331, Cherokee, NC

Built 1965 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 150

SR1300

Fair

Over: SWEETWATER CREEK

.4 MI.S.JCT.SR1300, Clay, NC

Built 1967 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 900

SR1928

Fair

Over: JUNIPER CREEK

1.1MI.E.JCT.SR1929, Columbus, NC

Built 1977 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 280

US76

Fair

Over: CERRO GORDO

0.4 MI. W. JCT. SR1414, Columbus, NC

Built 1927 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 4,400

US74/US76 WBL

Fair

Over: LIVINGSTON CREEK

0.2 MI W. OF JCT SR1824, Columbus, NC

Built 1969 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 8,000

US52

Fair

Over: SWEARING CREEK

0.3 MI. N. JCT. SR1242, Davidson, NC

Built 1992 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 13,000

SR1142

Fair

Over: HUNTING CREEK

0.7 MI. N. JCT. SR1143, Davie, NC

Built 1984 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 450

NC54W.

Fair

Over: LITTLE CREEK

0.5 MI. W. OF JCT. SR1112, Durham, NC

Built 1987 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 18,750

NC54E

Fair

Over: LITTLE CREEK

0.5 M.W.JCT.SR1112, Durham, NC

Built 1987 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 37,500

SR1429

Fair

Over: FISHING CREEK

1.6 MI N. JCT SR1423, Edgecombe, NC

Built 1956 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 300

NC122

Fair

Over: BYNUM MILL CREEK

0.8 MI N. OF JCT. NC 124, Edgecombe, NC

Built 1958 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 1,100

I-85/US29

Fair

Over: MCGILL CREEK

0.2 MI. N. JCT. SR1118, Gaston, NC

Built 1962 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 53,000

SR1118

Fair

Over: JADY BRANCH

.08 MI. N. JCT.SR1119, Gates, NC

Built 1993 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 270

SR1115

Fair

Over: SNOWBIRD CREEK

50 FT.N.JCT.SR1158, Graham, NC

Built 1979 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 410

SR1232

Fair

Over: PANTHER CREEK

.5 MI.N.JCT.SR1268, Graham, NC

Built 1976 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 150

I85BUS.LP,US29,70

Fair

Over: RICHLAND CREEK

0.3 MI. S. JCT. SR1193, Guilford, NC

Built 1953 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 24,500

US421N

Fair

Over: BIG ALAMANCE CREEK

0.5M. S. JCT. SR3389, Guilford, NC

Built 1969 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 12,750

SWEETBRIAR ROAD

Fair

Over: PAYNE CREEK

0.1MI.N.JCT.LONGCREEK DR., Guilford, NC

Built 1950 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 650

SR2526

Fair

Over: REEDY FORK CREEK

0.4 MI. N. JCT. SR2790, Guilford, NC

Built 1961 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 8,100

SR1541

Fair

Over: EAST FORK DEEP RIVER

50 FT. W. JCT. SR1552, Guilford, NC

Built 1997 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 20,000

US421S, NC55

Fair

Over: DUNN-ERWIN RAIL TRAIL

0.1 MI. N. OF JCT. SR1703, Harnett, NC

Built 1957 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 14,500

SR1550

Fair

Over: THICKETY CREEK

1 MI.W.JCT.SR1551, Haywood, NC

Built 1964 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 1,200

SR1565

Fair

Over: KYLES CREEK

.4 MI.N.JCT.SR1564, Henderson, NC

Built 1968 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 2,500

Showing 7,001-7,050 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.