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

SR1529

Fair

Over: LONG SHOAL CREEK

0.4 MI. E. JCT. SR1509, Catawba, NC

Built 2014 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 1,300

SR1154

Fair

Over: HILDEBRAN CREEK

0.2 MI. E. JCT. SR1153, Catawba, NC

Built 1951 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 4,000

NC10

Fair

Over: HAGAN FORK

0.4 MI. W. JCT. SR1808, Catawba, NC

Built 1929 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 4,300

SR1815

Fair

Over: SOUTH FORK MOUNTAIN CREE

100 FT. E. JCT. SR1818, Catawba, NC

Built 1941 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 1,100

US64 EBL

Fair

Over: JORDAN LAKE

4.4 MI. W. JCT. NC75, Chatham, NC

Built 1971 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 19,000

US64 WBL

Fair

Over: JORDAN LAKE

1.3 MI. W. JCT.SR1008, Chatham, NC

Built 1971 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 19,000

SR1539

Fair

Over: FERRELL CREEK

0.2 MI. E. JCT. SR1541, Chatham, NC

Built 1980 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 1,800

SR1370

Fair

Over: SHOOTING CREEK

50 FT.N.JCT.SR1167, Clay, NC

Built 1939 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 20

NC18

Fair

Over: SEABOARD RR

0.2 MI. S. JCT. SR1861, Cleveland, NC

Built 1957 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 7,100

US70E.

Fair

Over: BACHELOR CREEK

2.0 MI.E. OF JCT.SR1224, Craven, NC

Built 1976 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 9,500

US158

Fair

Over: JEAN GUITE CREEK

0.3 MI.W. JCT. SR1206, Dare, NC

Built 1966 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 27,000

US117

Fair

Over: GOSHEN SWAMP

1.4 MI. N. JCT. NC403, Duplin, NC

Built 1998 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 4,100

NC11

Fair

Over: ELDER CREEK

0.4MI.S.JCT.SR1957, Duplin, NC

Built 1961 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 1,800

SR1700

Fair

Over: NE CAPE FEAR RIVER

4.0 MI E NC 11, Duplin, NC

Built 1987 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 750

SR1308

Fair

Over: SANDY CREEK

200 FT.E.JCT US15/501, Durham, NC

Built 1976 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 9,500

SR2220

Fair

Over: NEW HOPE CREEK

0.4MI W. JCT. SR1116, Durham, NC

Built 1984 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 13,500

I40 WBL

Fair

Over: NEW HOPE CREEK

0.5 MI. W. OF JCT.NC54, Durham, NC

Built 1985 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 49,000

I40E

Fair

Over: NEW HOPE CREEK

0.5 MI. W. JCT. NC54, Durham, NC

Built 1986 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 49,000

US64 E

Fair

Over: TAR RIVER

0.2 MI.E.NC97, Edgecombe, NC

Built 1981 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 15,750

US64, NC43 BYP W

Fair

Over: TAR RIVER

0.2 MI.E. OF JCT. N.C.97, Edgecombe, NC

Built 1981 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 15,750

SR4325

Fair

Over: SOUTHERN RAILROAD

0.2 MI. S. JCT. I40 BUS., Forsyth, NC

Built 1984 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 16,500

NC67 SBL

Fair

Over: SALEM CREEK

0.4 MI. N. JCT. NC150, Forsyth, NC

Built 1968 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 12,000

NC273

Fair

Over: DUTCHMAN'S CREEK

0.03 MI. N. JCT. NC27, Gaston, NC

Built 1989 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 12,000

SR1214

Fair

Over: MOUNTAIN CREEK

.2 MI.S.JCT.SR1216, Graham, NC

Built 1958 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 700

SR1236

Fair

Over: STECOAH CREEK

.3 MI.N.JCT.SR1235, Graham, NC

Built 1962 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 200

SR1625

Fair

Over: FORK CREEK

1.1 MI E. OF JCT SR1626, Granville, NC

Built 1959 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 280

SR1700

Fair

Over: ROBERTSON CREEK

0.9 MI. W. JCT. SR1702, Granville, NC

Built 1980 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 2,600

SR1145

Fair

Over: TAR RIVER

1.0 MI.N.JCT.US158, Granville, NC

Built 1967 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 100

PATTON AVE.

Fair

Over: S.BUFFALO CREEK

50FT.W.JCT.US421, Guilford, NC

Built 1967 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 8,300

NC125

Fair

Over: CHOCKOYOTTE CREEK

0.3 MI S JCT NC158, Halifax, NC

Built 1960 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 8,100

SR2021

Fair

Over: UPPER LITTLE RIVER

0.6MI.N. OF SR1779, Harnett, NC

Built 1989 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 1,400

SR1725

Fair

Over: BLACK RIVER

0.4 MI.W. JCT.SR1719, Harnett, NC

Built 1978 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 3,600

SR1184

Fair

Over: RACOON CREEK

0.01MI.W.JCT.US-23 BUS., Haywood, NC

Built 2017 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 5,100

SR1799

Fair

Over: UT TO TUMBLEBUG CREEK

1 MI.E.JCT.SR1800, Henderson, NC

Built 1978 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 700

SR1764

Fair

Over: MUD CREEK

0.1 MI.E.JCT.US25N, Henderson, NC

Built 2010 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 9,300

US13S,US158W

Fair

Over: CHOWAN RIVER

0.7 MI. N. JCT. US158, Hertford, NC

Built 1972 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 3,850

I77 NBL

Fair

Over: SOUTH YADKIN RIVER

2.0 MI. S. JCT. SR1890, Iredell, NC

Built 1973 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 19,000

SR1827

Fair

Over: LONG BRANCH

0.4 MI. N. JCT. SR1829, Iredell, NC

Built 1964 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 30

SR1172

Fair

Over: TUCKASEGEE RIVER

25 FT.S.JCT.NC107, Jackson, NC

Built 1984 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 750

I40W

Fair

Over: SEABOARD COASTLINE RR

0.5 MI W JCT US301, Johnston, NC

Built 1988 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 20,000

I40 WBL

Fair

Over: MIDDLE CREEK

0.7 MI.E.JCT.SR1525, Johnston, NC

Built 1987 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 22,750

SR1111

Fair

Over: SOUTHWEST CREEK

0.4 MI. S. JCT. SR1157, Lenoir, NC

Built 2013 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 350

SR1310

Fair

Over: NANTAHALA RIVER

.5 MI.S.JCT.US19,74, Macon, NC

Built 1950 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 800

SR1151

Fair

Over: SPRING CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.NC209, Madison, NC

Built 1977 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 550

SR1151

Fair

Over: NORTH FORK BIG PINE CREE

.01 MI.W.JCT.SR1158, Madison, NC

Built 2010 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 550

SR1001

Fair

Over: BEAR GRASS SWAMP

0.2 MI N JCT SR1100, Martin, NC

Built 2014 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 2,400

SR1227

Fair

Over: NEWBERRY CREEK

3.7 MI.N.JCT.US70, McDowell, NC

Built 1970 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 310

US221,NC22

Fair

Over: UT TO CATAWBA RIVER

.3 MI.N.JCT.US70, McDowell, NC

Built 1989 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 15,500

I277 & NC16

Fair

Over: CATS LIGHT RAILROAD

0.8 MI. N. JCT. US74, Mecklenburg, NC

Built 1967 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 86,000

NC16 SBL

Fair

Over: LONG CREEK

0.7 MI. S. JCT. SR2004, Mecklenburg, NC

Built 1986 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 11,250

Showing 7,551-7,600 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.