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

NC904

Fair

Over: LUMBER RIVER OVER

0.3 MI W JCT US76, Robeson, NC

Built 1994 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,600

NC83

Fair

Over: SHOE HEEL CREEK

0.4 MI.S. OF JCT.NC130, Robeson, NC

Built 1977 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,600

US74W.BYP

Fair

Over: CSX R/R

0.1 MI E. OF JCT NC71, Robeson, NC

Built 1982 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 10,250

US29N

Fair

Over: HAW RIVER

0.6 MI. N. JCT. US29 BUS, Rockingham, NC

Built 1968 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 29,500

US29S

Fair

Over: HAW RIVER

0.6 MI. N. JCT. US29 BUS, Rockingham, NC

Built 1968 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 14,750

SR1001

Fair

Over: HAW RIVER OVERFLOW

1.5 MI. S. JCT. SR1002, Rockingham, NC

Built 1979 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,700

US221A

Fair

Over: CLINCHFIELD RR

.4 MI.N.JCT.SR1904, Rutherford, NC

Built 1978 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 9,700

SR1923

Fair

Over: HILLS CREEK

.55 MI.E.JCT.SR1920, Rutherford, NC

Built 1956 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 300

CHARLOTTE DRIVE

Fair

Over: LAKE LURE

0.8 MI.N.JCT.US64, Rutherford, NC

Built 1938 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 20

SR1726

Fair

Over: SOUTH CREEK

.3 MI.W.JCT.SR1725, Rutherford, NC

Built 1964 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 290

NC411

Fair

Over: BLACK RIVER

0.1MI.W. OF SR1130, Sampson, NC

Built 2007 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 550

US 52

Fair

Over: LITTLE LONG CREEK

0.2 MI. S. JCT. SR1494, Stanly, NC

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 14,000

NC28 SBL

Fair

Over: NANTAHALA R.& GSMR

50 FT.S.JCT.SR1121, Swain, NC

Built 1988 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,250

SR1528

Fair

Over: FRENCH BROAD RIVER

.4MI.S.JCT.US64, Transylvania, NC

Built 1956 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 4,600

SR1107

Fair

Over: E.FORK FRENCH BROAD RVR.

.4 MI.W.JCT.SR1103, Transylvania, NC

Built 1972 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 300

US64 EBL

Fair

Over: CATHEYS CREEK

.2 MI.E.JCT.SR1198, Transylvania, NC

Built 1980 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 6,500

US64 WBL

Fair

Over: CATHEYS CREEK

.2 MI.E.JCT.SR1198, Transylvania, NC

Built 1980 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 5,000

US601

Fair

Over: GOOSE CREEK

0.2 MI. S. JCT. SR1600, Union, NC

Built 1969 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 6,900

SR2125

Fair

Over: GUM LOG BRANCH

0.5 MI. W. JCT. SR2102, Union, NC

Built 1957 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 280

NC97

Fair

Over: LITTLE RIVER

0.9 MI.E.OF SR2325, Wake, NC

Built 1986 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 7,900

SR1901

Fair

Over: LEDGE CREEK

1.5 MI W NC50, Wake, NC

Built 1980 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,700

SR2321

Fair

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

0.7 MI W JCT SR 2320, Wake, NC

Built 2002 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 800

NC32

Fair

Over: WHITES CREEK

0.3 MI.E. OF JCT.SR1136, Washington, NC

Built 2011 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,300

NC111

Fair

Over: POND OFF NEUSE RIVER

5.3 MI. N. JCT. NC55, Wayne, NC

Built 2001 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 3,800

SR1006

Fair

Over: FALLING CREEK

0.9 MI N JCT SR 1121, Wayne, NC

Built 2004 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,500

SR1172

Fair

Over: S PRONG LEWIS FORK CREEK

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

Built 1980 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 10

SR1569

Fair

Over: DARNELL CREEK

.4 MI.N.JCT.SR1567, Wilkes, NC

Built 1961 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 60

NC42

Fair

Over: SHEPARD BRANCH

1.2 MI. E. JCT. SR1160, Wilson, NC

Built 1955 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 10,000

US264 EBL

Fair

Over: CSX RAIL ROAD

.5 MI. W. SR1612, Wilson, NC

Built 2003 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 20,500

NC80

Fair

Over: CLEAR CREEK

.01 MI.S.JCT.SR1199, Yancey, NC

Built 1980 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 800

SR1147

Fair

Over: LITTLE CRABTREE CREEK

.01 MI.S.JCT.SR1186, Yancey, NC

Built 1968 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 420

US19W

Fair

Over: CANE RIVER

0.02 MI.S.JCT.SR1382, Yancey, NC

Built 1971 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 850

NC18

Fair

Over: PINEY FORK CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.NC88, Alleghany, NC

Built 1950 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 1,000

SR1171

Fair

Over: BLEDSOE CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.US21, Alleghany, NC

Built 1962 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 100

US19E

Fair

Over: ROARING CREEK

75 FT.S.JCT.SR1132, Avery, NC

Built 1978 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 900

DOGWOOD ROAD

Fair

Over: SHAWNEEHAW CREEK

.01MI.S.JCT.NC194, Avery, NC

Built 1995 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 100

SR1004

Fair

Over: HUDDY'S GUT

1.0 MI. E. JCT. NC306, Beaufort, NC

Built 2012 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 300

NC33

Fair

Over: CHOCOWINITY CREEK

1.1 MI.E JCT.US17, Beaufort, NC

Built 1964 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 9,800

SR1721

Fair

Over: LITTLE CREEK

0.5 MI. N. JCT. SR1719, Beaufort, NC

Built 2011 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 70

SR1134

Fair

Over: SHARRON CREEK

0.2 MI.S.NC130, Brunswick, NC

Built 2015 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 3,100

US17,74,76S,NC133

Fair

Over: ALLIGATOR CREEK

1.0 MI.N.JCT.NC133, Brunswick, NC

Built 1968 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 69,000

SR1608

Fair

Over: SOUTH TURKEY CREEK

.7 MI.W.JCT.SR1609, Buncombe, NC

Built 2016 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 1,000

SR2782

Fair

Over: CANE CREEK

.15 MI.E.JCT.SR2776, Buncombe, NC

Built 1957 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 560

SR2429

Fair

Over: BEETREE CREEK

.03 MI.N.JCT.SR2427, Buncombe, NC

Built 1955 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 100

SR2791

Fair

Over: BROAD RIVER

.02 MI.E.JCT.NC9, Buncombe, NC

Built 1964 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 650

SR2531

Fair

Over: SOUTHERN RR

.1 MI.S.JCT.I40, Buncombe, NC

Built 1980 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 16,500

US64 WBL, NC18

Fair

Over: CATAWBA RIVER

0.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1593, Burke, NC

Built 1966 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 6,500

RAND STREET

Fair

Over: NORFOLK SOUTHERN RAILWAY

0.1 MI.S.JCT.HERRON ST., Burke, NC

Built 1987 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 900

US321 NBL

Fair

Over: GUNPOWDER CREEK

.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1127, Caldwell, NC

Built 1969 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 15,500

SR1182

Fair

Over: BOGUE SOUND & ICW

0.1 MI.S. OF JCT. US70, Carteret, NC

Built 1987 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 21,500

Showing 7,951-8,000 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.