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

SR2227

Fair

Over: HODGES CREEK

0.5 MI. S. JCT. SR2217, Wake, NC

Built 1975 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 1,700

SR1510

Fair

Over: ELK CREEK

.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1508, Watauga, NC

Built 1961 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 150

NC581

Fair

Over: NEUSE RIVER

1.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1915, Wayne, NC

Built 1997 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 5,900

NC16

Fair

Over: REDDIES RIVER

.7 MI.N.JCT.SR1560, Wilkes, NC

Built 2003 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 4,200

NC16

Fair

Over: MIDDLE FORK REDDIES RIV.

1.6 MI.N.JCT.SR1560, Wilkes, NC

Built 2003 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 4,200

SR1634

Fair

Over: GREAT SWAMP

0.6 MI. N. SR1636, Wilson, NC

Built 2012 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 670

SR1177

Fair

Over: PINEY FORK CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.NC18, Alleghany, NC

Built 2005 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 15

NC109

Fair

Over: PEE DEE RIVER

1.0 MI. N. JCT. SR1634, Anson, NC

Built 1981 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,500

SR1610

Fair

Over: CRIBS CREEK

0.8 MI. W. JCT. SR1609, Anson, NC

Built 1995 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 400

SR1573

Fair

Over: NORTH FORK NEW RIVER

150 FT.N.JCT.SR1542, Ashe, NC

Built 1989 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 540

US221BYP,NC181

Fair

Over: LINVILLE RIVER

.1 MI.S.JCT.NC181, Avery, NC

Built 1990 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 6,200

US13N, US17N

Fair

Over: ROANOKE RIVER OVER

2.5MI.S. OF JCT.SR1521, Bertie, NC

Built 1968 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 5,500

US13,17N

Fair

Over: CONINE CREEK

1.6 MI.S. OF JCT.SR1521, Bertie, NC

Built 1968 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 5,500

NC308

Fair

Over: SPRING BRANCH

0.5 MI W JCT NC45, Bertie, NC

Built 1971 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 700

US13,17 N

Fair

Over: ROANOKE RIVER OVER.

0.5 MI. S. OF JCT. SR1521, Bertie, NC

Built 1968 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 5,500

US13N, US17N

Fair

Over: ROANOKE RIVER OVERFLOW

3.3 MI.S. OF SR1521, Bertie, NC

Built 1990 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 6,000

US74,US76 EB

Fair

Over: HOOD CREEK

0.2 MI. W. JCT. SR1726, Brunswick, NC

Built 1968 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 12,750

SR1297

Fair

Over: NEWFOUND CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.SR1004, Buncombe, NC

Built 1978 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 200

SR2178

Fair

Over: STONY CREEK

.7 MI.S.JCT.SR2173, Buncombe, NC

Built 1978 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 350

SR1226

Fair

Over: LITTLE POLE CREEK

.7 MI.N.JCT.SR1220, Buncombe, NC

Built 1980 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 75

SR1223

Fair

Over: CATAWBA RIVER

.35 MI.E.JCT.SR1230, Burke, NC

Built 1966 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 900

SR1722

Fair

Over: DOUBLE BRANCH

.02 MI.S.JCT.SR1731, Burke, NC

Built 1959 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 200

SR1133

Fair

Over: SILVER CREEK

1 MI.E.JCT.SR1129, Burke, NC

Built 1979 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 500

SR1611

Fair

Over: RHODHISS LAKE

.15 MI.N.JCT.SR1651, Burke, NC

Built 1972 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 5,700

SR2416

Fair

Over: DUTCH BUFFALO CREEK

0.4 MI. E. JCT. SR1006, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1999 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 620

PINE STREET

Fair

Over: IRISH BUFFALO CREEK

50 FT.E.JCT.TIFFANY DR., Cabarrus, NC

Built 1987 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 700

NC90

Fair

Over: JOHNS RIVER

.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1367, Caldwell, NC

Built 1992 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 70

SR1552

Fair

Over: YADKIN RIVER

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

Built 1962 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 400

SR1356

Fair

Over: JOHNS RIVER

2.1 MI.N.JCT.NC90, Caldwell, NC

Built 1960 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 850

SR1341

Fair

Over: HOGANS CREEK

2.3 MI. E. JCT. US29, Caswell, NC

Built 1984 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 750

NC16

Fair

Over: LYLE CREEK

0.3 MI. N. JCT. SR1712, Catawba, NC

Built 1991 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 13,500

SR2007

Fair

Over: MAIDEN CREEK

0.4 MI. E. JCT. SR2010, Catawba, NC

Built 1998 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 6,400

SR1880

Fair

Over: SMYRE CREEK

0.4 MI. N. JCT. SR1884, Catawba, NC

Built 1959 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,600

SR1822

Fair

Over: BALLS CREEK

0.5 MI. S. JCT. SR1826, Catawba, NC

Built 1982 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,300

SR1819

Fair

Over: BALLS CREEK

0.9 MI. N. JCT. SR1833, Catawba, NC

Built 1965 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,100

NC902

Fair

Over: ROCKY RIVER

0.5 MI.W. JCT. SR2164, Chatham, NC

Built 1993 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,500

SR1545

Fair

Over: HAW RIVER

1.1 MI. N. JCT. SR1520, Chatham, NC

Built 1989 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,500

SR1325

Fair

Over: SHULER CREEK

25 FT.E.JCT.SR1327, Cherokee, NC

Built 1964 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 10

SR2011

Fair

Over: MUDDY FORK CREEK

0.6 MI.W.JCT.SR2009, Cleveland, NC

Built 1958 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 530

SR2250

Fair

Over: BEASONS CREEK

0.7 MI. S. JCT. SR2249, Cleveland, NC

Built 1959 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,800

SR1003

Fair

Over: GROG CREEK

0.1 MI. W. JCT. SR1172, Cleveland, NC

Built 1973 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 4,400

I95S

Fair

Over: BLACK RIVER

0.5 MI.N.JCT.SR1806, Cumberland, NC

Built 1957 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 49,500

SR1245

Fair

Over: COINJOCK BAY

1.7 MI.E. OF JCT. NC168, Currituck, NC

Built 1997 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,400

SR1819

Fair

Over: THOM-A-LEX LAKE

0.9 MI. W. JCT. SR1798, Davidson, NC

Built 1996 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,500

NC111

Fair

Over: LIMESTONE CREEK OVERFLOW

2.1 MI N JCT NC41, Duplin, NC

Built 2000 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,400

NC50

Fair

Over: MAXWELL CREEK

0.6 MI.S.JCT. SR1961, Duplin, NC

Built 1984 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,200

NC41, NC50

Fair

Over: NE CAPE FEAR RIVER OVRFL

0.6 MI. W. JCT. SR1964, Duplin, NC

Built 1987 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 7,200

SR1004

Fair

Over: GOSHEN SWAMP

1.1 MI N JCT SR1307, Duplin, NC

Built 1995 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,500

SR1700

Fair

Over: NE CAPE FEAR RIVER OVRFL

3.6 MI. E. JCT. NC11, Duplin, NC

Built 1987 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 750

I-40

Fair

Over: GOSHEN SWAMP

1.5 MI. S. JCT. SR1006, Duplin, NC

Built 1993 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,800

Showing 7,851-7,900 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.