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

I485 NBL

Fair

Over: REEDY CREEK

0.2 MI. N. JCT. SR2805, Mecklenburg, NC

Built 2003 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 38,000

NC261

Fair

Over: LITTLE ROCK CREEK

.01 MI.S.JCT.SR1338, Mitchell, NC

Built 1997 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 1,100

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Fair

Over: MCCALL GAP ROAD

3.0 MILES TO NC ROUTE 226, Mitchell, NC

Built 1940 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 5,007

SR1343

Fair

Over: WHITE OAK CREEK

1.2 MI. N. JCT. SR1340, Montgomery, NC

Built 2000 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 500

I40W

Fair

Over: RR

0.5 MI. W. OF JCT.SR1002, New Hanover, NC

Built 1984 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 19,000

I40EBL

Fair

Over: IDEAL CEMENT CO.RR

0.5 MI.W.SR1002, New Hanover, NC

Built 1984 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 19,000

US158

Fair

Over: OCCONEECHEE CREEK

0.2 MI. E. JCT. SR1312, Northampton, NC

Built 1922 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 3,900

SR1126

Fair

Over: GUMBERRY SWAMP

0.1MI.E. OF JCT.SR1127, Northampton, NC

Built 2013 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 260

SR1207

Fair

Over: TUCKAHOE BRANCH

0.2 MI.E. OF JCT. SR1206, Pender, NC

Built 2016 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 500

SR1309

Fair

Over: ROCKFISH CREEK

0.8MI.N.JCT.SR1353, Pender, NC

Built 1990 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 1,500

US264 WBL

Fair

Over: TAR RIVER OVERFLOW

1.0 MI. E. JCT. NC43, Pitt, NC

Built 1992 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 10,000

SR2221

Fair

Over: DEEP RIVER

0.2 MI. N. JCT. SR2216, Randolph, NC

Built 1984 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 3,200

US64,NC49

Fair

Over: DEEP RIVER & SANDY CREEK

0.7 MI. W. JCT. NC22, Randolph, NC

Built 1988 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 18,000

SR1124

Fair

Over: HITCHCOCK CREEK

0.3 MI. E. JCT. SR1130, Richmond, NC

Built 1964 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 600

SR2455

Fair

Over: AARON SWAMP

0.4 MI N. OF JCT SR2466, Robeson, NC

Built 1978 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 750

SR2556

Fair

Over: SOUTHERN RAILROAD

0.05 MI.E. JCT. US29 BUS., Rockingham, NC

Built 1957 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 100

NC49

Fair

Over: YADKIN RIVER & WSSB R.R.

2.4 MI. W. JCT. NC8, Rowan, NC

Built 1999 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 7,000

SR1728

Fair

Over: N.FORK FIRST BROAD CRK.

.9 MI.N.JCT.NC226, Rutherford, NC

Built 1940 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 100

SR1909

Fair

Over: TURKEY CREEK

0.9 MI N. OF JCT NC24, Sampson, NC

Built 2014 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 450

US601

Fair

Over: RICHARDSON CREEK, GW.PAT

0.1 MI. N. JCT. SR1964, Union, NC

Built 1997 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 22,000

NC742

Fair

Over: ROCKY RIVER

150 FT. N. JCT. SR1701, Union, NC

Built 1963 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 1,700

SR1758

Fair

Over: RAYS FORK

0.1 MI. N. JCT. SR1962, Union, NC

Built 1959 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 2,700

SR2102

Fair

Over: LANES CREEK

0.1 MI. N. JCT. SR2111, Union, NC

Built 1957 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 340

SR1346

Fair

Over: PRICE MILL CREEK

0.5 MI. N. JCT. SR1162, Union, NC

Built 1956 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 7,000

SR2053

Fair

Over: SMITHS CREEK

0.3 MI S.JCT NC98, Wake, NC

Built 2011 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 15,500

SR1371

Fair

Over: YATES POND SPILLWAY

1.2 MI N SR1375, Wake, NC

Built 1969 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 16,000

SR1112

Fair

Over: FISHING CREEK

1.0 MI N JCT SR1118, Warren, NC

Built 2013 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 400

SR1112

Fair

Over: DUTCH CREEK

150 FT.E.JCT.NC194, Watauga, NC

Built 1982 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 3,100

SR1143

Fair

Over: YADKIN RIVER

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1144, Wilkes, NC

Built 1968 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 4,300

US264

Fair

Over: CREEK

1.0 MI.W.NC91, Wilson, NC

Built 1987 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 21,500

SR1379

Fair

Over: UT TO NORTH DEEP CREEK

.7 MI.N.JCT.SR1380, Yadkin, NC

Built 2004 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 70

SR1626

Fair

Over: BIG BRANCH CREEK

0.5 MI. N. JCT. SR1605, Alexander, NC

Built 2014 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 350

US52

Fair

Over: BROWN CREEK

1.5 MI. N. JCT. SR1649, Anson, NC

Built 1997 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 3,300

SR1730

Fair

Over: SCL RR

0.4 MI. E. JCT. SR1734, Anson, NC

Built 1985 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 700

NC88

Fair

Over: NORTH FORK NEW RIVER

50 FT.E.JCT.SR1345, Ashe, NC

Built 1981 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 1,800

SR1394

Fair

Over: UT TO STAGGS CREEK

50 FT.N.JCT.SR1352, Ashe, NC

Built 2007 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 100

SR1158

Fair

Over: NORTH TOE RIVER

.5 MI.S.JCT.SR1157, Avery, NC

Built 1961 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 100

SR1530

Fair

Over: WEBB CREEK

50 FT.N.JCT.SR1511, Avery, NC

Built 1999 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 190

NC102

Fair

Over: GORHAM SWAMP

2.5 MI.W.JCT.US17, Beaufort, NC

Built 2012 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 1,800

US13N,US17N

Fair

Over: ROANOKE RIVER

3.6 MI.S.JCT.SR1521, Bertie, NC

Built 1990 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 5,750

US13N, US17N

Fair

Over: ROANOKE RIVER OVER

3.0 MI S. OF JCT SR1521, Bertie, NC

Built 1968 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 5,500

US13S,US17S

Fair

Over: ROANOKE RIVER

3.6 MI.S.JCT.SR1521, Bertie, NC

Built 1992 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 5,750

US17

Fair

Over: BELL SWAMP

0.1 MI N JCT NC87, Brunswick, NC

Built 1980 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 35,500

SR3431

Fair

Over: POND BRANCH

0.35 MI.S.JCT.SR3432, Buncombe, NC

Built 1975 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 200

SR1395

Fair

Over: WILLOW CREEK

20 FT.S.JCT.SR1394, Buncombe, NC

Built 1969 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 150

SR2500

Fair

Over: CAMP BRANCH

0.1 MI.W.JCT.NC9, Buncombe, NC

Built 1976 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 4,500

SR1501

Fair

Over: RHODHISS LAKE

0.3 MI.S.JCT.SR1515, Burke, NC

Built 1986 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 3,200

SR2685

Fair

Over: UT TO FURR LAKE

0.1 MI. N. JCT. SR1006, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1982 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 300

NC268

Fair

Over: YADKIN RIVER

300'W.JCT.SR1513, Caldwell, NC

Built 1995 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 1,700

NC150

Fair

Over: LAKE NORMAN

1.0 MI. E. JCT. SR1840, Catawba, NC

Built 1961 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 16,500

Showing 7,601-7,650 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.