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

US64E, US264E

Fair

Over: LITTLE RIVER

0.3 MI.E. JCT.SR2325, Wake, NC

Built 1973 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 74,500

US64W

Fair

Over: BUNN LAKE

0.8 MI. E. JCT. SR2337, Wake, NC

Built 1972 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 15,000

SR2544

Fair

Over: WALNUT CREEK

0.9 MI S. OF JCT SR1007, Wake, NC

Built 1980 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 7,700

I495N,US64BYP,264E

Fair

Over: CRABTREE CR.

JCT.US64,264&CRABTREE CR., Wake, NC

Built 2005 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 82,500

NC45, NC308

Fair

Over: CONABY CREEK

0.4 MI N. OF JCT SR1300, Washington, NC

Built 1967 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 3,300

SR1547

Fair

Over: WINKLER CREEK

150 FT.N.JCT.SR1549, Watauga, NC

Built 1961 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 11,000

US321

Fair

Over: COVE CREEK

.1 MI.N.JCT.SR1233, Watauga, NC

Built 2013 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 4,500

SR1335

Fair

Over: MEAT CAMP CREEK

.2 MI.N.JCT.NC194, Watauga, NC

Built 1984 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 1,700

SR1535

Fair

Over: THE SLOUGH

0.6 MI N. JCT SR1574, Wayne, NC

Built 1985 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 1,800

NC111

Fair

Over: NEUSE RIVER OVERFLOW

0.3 MI. N. JCT. SR1741, Wayne, NC

Built 2006 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 9,100

US421 NBL

Fair

Over: LEWIS FORK CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1307, Wilkes, NC

Built 2004 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 6,250

US421 BYP. NBL

Fair

Over: YADKIN RIVER

0.4 MI.N.JCT.NC268, Wilkes, NC

Built 1966 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 14,500

SR2510

Fair

Over: LITTLE CUB CREEK

0.1 MI.W.JCT.SR2550, Wilkes, NC

Built 1968 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 4,300

US264E,BYP

Fair

Over: CAROLINA COASTAL RR

1 MILE WEST OF NC58, Wilson, NC

Built 2003 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 9,500

SR1114

Fair

Over: BAKER CREEK

.02 MI.E.JCT.SR1115, Yancey, NC

Built 1960 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 200

SR1317

Fair

Over: BRUSH CREEK

0.65M. S. JCT. SR1308, Yancey, NC

Built 2019 Load: 47.1 t ADT: 150

17TH ABN DIV ROAD

Fair

Over: BIG MUDDY CREEK

PU 388 774, Scotland, NC

Built 1970 Load: 47.7 t ADT: 50

SR1109

Fair

Over: DEADFALL CREEK

1.6 MI. E. JCT. NC109, Anson, NC

Built 1959 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 100

NC194

Fair

Over: ELK RIVER

200 FT.N.JCT.SR1321, Avery, NC

Built 1991 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 2,200

US264,NC92

Fair

Over: RUNYON CREEK

2.0 MI E. JCT. US17, Beaufort, NC

Built 1995 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 20,000

SR2800

Fair

Over: CANE CREEK

.01 MI.N.JCT.SR2883, Buncombe, NC

Built 1961 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 1,900

SR2173

Fair

Over: DILLINGHAM CREEK

.85 MI.E.JCT.SR2165, Buncombe, NC

Built 2006 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 300

SR1100

Fair

Over: STONEY FORK CREEK

.4 MI. S..JCT.NC151, Buncombe, NC

Built 1981 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 130

SR1512

Fair

Over: BAKERS CREEK

0.05 MI. W. JCT. SR1515, Catawba, NC

Built 1958 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 1,200

NC10

Fair

Over: SOUTH FORK CATAWBA RIVER

1.0 MI. E. JCT. SR1008, Catawba, NC

Built 1969 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 7,600

I40 WBL

Fair

Over: LYLE CREEK

1.2 MI. E. JCT. SR1716, Catawba, NC

Built 1957 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 36,500

US321 SBL

Fair

Over: HENRY FORK RIVER

0.6 MI. N. JCT. NC10, Catawba, NC

Built 1997 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 17,000

US1S

Fair

Over: HAW RIVER

0.5 MI. S. JCT. SR1972, Chatham, NC

Built 1998 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 14,750

US1N

Fair

Over: HAW RIVER

.5 MI.S.JCT.SR1972, Chatham, NC

Built 1997 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 17,750

US19,US74EB,US129N

Fair

Over: VALLEY RIVER

.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1649, Cherokee, NC

Built 1979 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 8,400

US19,74,129 SBL

Fair

Over: VALLEY RIVER

.2 MI.S.JCT.SR1425, Cherokee, NC

Built 1980 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 4,850

NC175

Fair

Over: CHATUGE LAKE

.01 MI.S.JCT.SR1353, Clay, NC

Built 2015 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 2,300

SR1330

Fair

Over: TUSQUITEE CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1307, Clay, NC

Built 1980 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 250

SR1376

Fair

Over: DAWSON'S CREEK

0.5 MI. N. JCT. SR1379, Cleveland, NC

Built 1968 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 120

NC12

Fair

Over: CREEK OFF THE SLASH

.08 MI.N. OF JCT.SR1241, Dare, NC

Built 2004 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 2,200

I85BUS,S,US29,US70

Fair

Over: ABBOTTS CREEK

0.1 MI. S. JCT. SR2123, Davidson, NC

Built 2009 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 8,000

NC47

Fair

Over: NORTHFOLK SOUTHERN RR

0.3 MI. S. JCT. SR1134, Davidson, NC

Built 1993 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 7,500

SR1700

Fair

Over: NE CAPE FEAR RIV. OVER

0.6 MI.W. OF SR1701, Duplin, NC

Built 1987 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 750

SR1964

Fair

Over: MUDDY CREEK

0.4 MI. N. JCT. NC41&50, Duplin, NC

Built 1990 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 600

SR1826

Fair

Over: NINE MILE CREEK

1.0 MI.N.JCT.SR1828, Duplin, NC

Built 2008 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 480

SR1600

Fair

Over: OLD RICHMOND CREEK

0.3 MI. N. JCT. NC67, Forsyth, NC

Built 1980 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 1,900

US321 SBL

Fair

Over: CROWDERS CREEK

0.1 MI. S. JCT. SR2416, Gaston, NC

Built 1968 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 4,800

I85

Fair

Over: DUHART'S CREEK

0.1 MI. N. JCT. NC279, Gaston, NC

Built 1963 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 123,000

SR1232

Fair

Over: PANTHER CREEK

.6 MI.S.JCT.SR1268, Graham, NC

Built 1956 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 100

I85N

Fair

Over: TAR RIVER

8.6 MI. S. JCT. US158, Granville, NC

Built 1969 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 14,750

SR1216

Fair

Over: BURNT COAT SWAMP

0.4 MI. S. JCT. SR1210, Halifax, NC

Built 1996 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 320

SR1552

Fair

Over: BLACK RIVER

0.3 MI.S. OF SR1553, Harnett, NC

Built 1994 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 820

SR1780

Fair

Over: BLACK RIVER

0.1 MI W JCT SR1790, Harnett, NC

Built 2005 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 4,300

US19,23,74 NBL

Fair

Over: PIGEON RIVER

.1 MI.S.JCT.NC110, Haywood, NC

Built 1962 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 7,600

NC12

Fair

Over: PARKERS CREEK

6.0 MI. N. JCT. SR1333, Hyde, NC

Built 2008 Load: 48.0 t ADT: 3,000

Showing 8,701-8,750 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.