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

NC49

Good

Over: ADAMS CREEK

0.5 MI. N. JCT. SR2630, Cabarrus, NC

Built 2014 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 11,500

SR1687

Good

Over: PEACHTREE CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.SR1531, Cherokee, NC

Built 1955 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 3,500

SR1802

Good

Over: RACOON CREEK

.05 MI.E.JCT.US23B, Haywood, NC

Built 2003 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 890

US264,NC45

Good

Over: INTRACOASTAL WATER

0.3.MI.E.JCT.SR1167, Hyde, NC

Built 1981 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 1,900

SR1558

Good

Over: SCOTT CREEK

.07 MI.S.JCT.FRONT STREET, Jackson, NC

Built 1950 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 100

SR1545

Good

Over: CULLOWHEE CREEK

50' E.JCT.SR1329, Jackson, NC

Built 1964 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 4,000

SR1424

Good

Over: HUGHES CREEK

1.0 MI. S. JCT. SR1425, Lee, NC

Built 1998 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 100

SR1131

Good

Over: TRENT RIVER

0.6 MI N. JCT. SR1121, Lenoir, NC

Built 1978 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 100

SR1500

Good

Over: BR. HARDISON MILL CRK

0.5 MI N. OF JCT SR 1520, Martin, NC

Built 1977 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 370

SR1240

Good

Over: LITTLE TOE RIVER

0.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1135, McDowell, NC

Built 2012 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 300

SR1186

Good

Over: SOUTHERN RAILWAY

0.4 MI. S. JCT. SR1191, Mecklenburg, NC

Built 1980 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 800

SR3814

Good

Over: LITTLE SUGAR CREEK

0.32 MI. E. JCT. SR3686, Mecklenburg, NC

Built 1977 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 26,000

SR5901 RAMP

Good

Over: TAGGART CREEK

0.15 MI. N. JCT. SR1256, Mecklenburg, NC

Built 1988 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 900

I485 EBL

Good

Over: LONG CREEK

1.9 MI. W. JCT. SR2113, Mecklenburg, NC

Built 2008 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 42,250

CASTLE DOWN DR.

Good

Over: CREEK

175'W.JCT.LAUREL BERRY LN, Mecklenburg, NC

Built 1980 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 100

REA ROAD

Good

Over: UT TO CARMEL LAKE

.25 MI. S. JCT. COLONY RD, Mecklenburg, NC

Built 2012 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 100

SR1477

Good

Over: MEADOW CREEK

0.2 MI. E. JCT. SR1490, Moore, NC

Built 1990 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 2,200

SR1616

Good

Over: TYSONS CREEK

0.8 MI. W. JCT. SR1606, Moore, NC

Built 1972 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 80

US17 N, NC37

Good

Over: PERQUIMANS RIVER

1.8 MI.N.JCT.US17&32BUS., Perquimans, NC

Built 1994 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 8,750

SR1138

Good

Over: GREEN RIVER

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1155, Polk, NC

Built 1980 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 900

SR1326

Good

Over: MILL CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1339, Polk, NC

Built 1955 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 400

SR1920

Good

Over: ABANDONED RR

.3 MI.S.JCT.SR1932, Rutherford, NC

Built 1968 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 4,000

NC281

Good

Over: W. FORK FRENCH BROAD RVR

.3 MI.S.JCT.SR1309, Transylvania, NC

Built 1998 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 550

SR1662

Good

Over: CRISCO BRANCH

0.7 MI. N. JCT. NC218, Union, NC

Built 2003 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 70

TOP FLIGHT DRIVE

Good

Over: CREAK

0.1 MI. S. JCT. AISLE PL., Union, NC

Built 2021 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 1,500

SR1830

Good

Over: BARTON CREEK

0.2 MI. E. JCT. NC50, Wake, NC

Built 1999 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 1,300

US221,US321

Good

Over: MID. FORK S. FORK NEW RV

0.5 MI.S.JCT.SR1540, Watauga, NC

Built 1980 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 16,500

SR1725

Good

Over: CANE CREEK

1.3 MI.N.JCT.SR1724, Wilkes, NC

Built 1965 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 150

IRR BIA RTE 420

Good

Over: WRIGHTS CREEK

3.1 KM E OF CHEROKEE NC, Jackson, NC

Built 1996 Load: 29.7 t ADT: 200

SR1334

Good

Over: MIDDLE FORK HORSE CREEK

100 FT.E.JCT SR132, Ashe, NC

Built 1995 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 330

SR1003

Good

Over: PAINT FORK CREEK

0.85 MI.N.JCT.SR2117, Buncombe, NC

Built 2019 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 1,200

SR1916

Good

Over: HENRY FORK RIVER

.7 MI.E.JCT.SR1924, Burke, NC

Built 1979 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 350

SR2233

Good

Over: GRAY'S CREEK

0.2MI S. OF JCT SR2234, Cumberland, NC

Built 1970 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 230

SR1556

Good

Over: EAST PRONG DEEP RIVER

0.2 MI. W. JCT. SR1554, Guilford, NC

Built 1998 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 16,000

US19

Good

Over: CAMPBELL CREEK

25 FT.N.JCT.SR1212, Haywood, NC

Built 1960 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 7,400

SR1365

Good

Over: MUD CREEK

.5 MI.S.JCT.SR1345, Henderson, NC

Built 1969 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 5,800

SR1564

Good

Over: KYLES CREEK

0.5 MI.W.JCT.SR1565, Henderson, NC

Built 2012 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 100

SR1746

Good

Over: CANEY FORK CREEK

.01 MI.E.JCT.SR1737, Jackson, NC

Built 1959 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 60

SR1390

Good

Over: YOUNCE CREEK

70 FT.E.JCT.SR1389, Macon, NC

Built 1970 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 200

US19, SR1511

Good

Over: MIDDLE FORK CALIFORNIA C

.02 MI.N.JCT.SR1511, Madison, NC

Built 1962 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 8,000

SR1119

Good

Over: MILL CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1407, McDowell, NC

Built 1993 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 450

SR1168

Good

Over: UT TO NORTH MUDDY CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1164, McDowell, NC

Built 2012 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 1,400

NC49

Good

Over: STEEL CREEK

0.3 MI. N. JCT. SR1441, Mecklenburg, NC

Built 1962 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 38,500

I485 WBL

Good

Over: LONG CREEK

1.2 MI. EAST JCT. SR2042, Mecklenburg, NC

Built 2008 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 42,250

NC73

Good

Over: HAMER CREEK

0.4 MI. W. JCT. SR1118, Montgomery, NC

Built 1969 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 1,500

SR1318

Good

Over: LITTLE DUMAS CREEK

0.4 MI. N. JCT. SR1319, Montgomery, NC

Built 2015 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 730

NC210

Good

Over: GUILFORDS BRANCH

0.3 MI E. OF JCT SR1400, Pender, NC

Built 1921 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 3,800

US176

Good

Over: NORTH PACOLET RIVER

.01 MI.E.JCT.SR1125, Polk, NC

Built 1938 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 2,300

SR2900

Good

Over: RICHLAND CREEK

0.8 MI. S. JCT. NC42, Randolph, NC

Built 1968 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 660

SR1003

Good

Over: RICHLAND SWAMP

0.7MI.S.JCT.NC211, Robeson, NC

Built 1975 Load: 29.9 t ADT: 2,900

Showing 11,201-11,250 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.