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

SR1810

Good

Over: ADKIN BRANCH

0.4 MI E. JCT. NC11, Lenoir, NC

Built 1973 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,600

SR1690

Good

Over: MOSELEY CREEK

0.1 MI. N. JCT. SR1524, Lenoir, NC

Built 1967 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,300

US70,NC148RAMP

Good

Over: TRIB. TO FALLING CREEK

0.58 MI. E. JCT. NC148, Lenoir, NC

Built 2014 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 24,000

NC148RAMP

Good

Over: TRIB. OF FALLING CREEK

0.8 MI. E. JCT. NC148, Lenoir, NC

Built 2014 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 6,100

SR1357

Good

Over: DELLINGER BRANCH

1.0 MI. W. JCT. SR1509, Lincoln, NC

Built 2006 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 600

E. CONGRESS STREET

Good

Over: CSX RR

0.01MI.E.JCT.S.ASPEN ST., Lincoln, NC

Built 2001 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 6,000

SR1175

Good

Over: INDIAN CREEK

0.75 MI. E. JCT. SR1176, Lincoln, NC

Built 2001 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 490

SR1180

Good

Over: LEONARD FORK CREEK

0.7 MI.N.JCT.SR1169, Lincoln, NC

Built 2001 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 440

SR1153

Good

Over: LITTLE BUFFALO CREEK

0.2 MI. E. JCT. SR1154, Lincoln, NC

Built 1999 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 100

SR1338

Good

Over: CARPENTER CREEK

0.2 MI. E. JCT. US321, Lincoln, NC

Built 2003 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 940

SR1113

Good

Over: INDIAN CREEK

0.3 MI.W.JCT.SR1002, Lincoln, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 950

SR1113

Good

Over: UT TO LITTLE INDIAN CREE

0.4 MI. E. JCT. SR1111, Lincoln, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 490

SR1197

Good

Over: HOWARDS CREEK

0.3 MI. E. JCT. SR1195, Lincoln, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 800

SR1001

Good

Over: ELLIJAY CREEK.

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1528, Macon, NC

Built 2016 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 100

SR1540

Good

Over: BIG CREEK

100' MI.E.JCT.SR1538, Macon, NC

Built 2016 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 870

SR1513

Good

Over: RABBIT CREEK

.5 MI.E.JCT.US23,441, Macon, NC

Built 2009 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 850

SR1639

Good

Over: TESSENTEE CREEK

.3 MI.S.JCT.SR1636, Macon, NC

Built 1996 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 40

US64,NC28

Good

Over: WALNUT CREEK

50 FT.E.JCT.SR1533, Macon, NC

Built 1965 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 3,300

SR1538

Good

Over: BUCK CREEK

25 FT.W.JCT.SR1537, Macon, NC

Built 1993 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 730

SR1410

Good

Over: PARTRIDGE CREEK

.001 MI.S.JCT.SR1411, Macon, NC

Built 1997 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 60

SR1335

Good

Over: WATAUGA CREEK

.1 MI.W.JCT.US23,441, Macon, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,400

SR1451

Good

Over: CARTOOGECHAYE CREEK

200 FT.W.JCT.US64, Macon, NC

Built 1932 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 360

US23,441

Good

Over: COMMISSIONER CR.

.1 MI.N.JCT.SR1102, Macon, NC

Built 1962 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 10,500

SR1504

Good

Over: RABBIT CREEK

.7 MI.E.JCT.SR1513, Macon, NC

Built 2004 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 290

NC63

Good

Over: LITTLE SANDYMUSH CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.SR1103, Madison, NC

Built 1962 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 550

US25,US70

Good

Over: WALNUT CREEK

.01 MI.S.JCT.US25,70BUS, Madison, NC

Built 1974 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 8,700

NC213

Good

Over: HAYES RUN CREEK

.04 MI.E.JCT.US25,70, Madison, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 6,000

NC208

Good

Over: LITTLE LAUREL CREEK

1.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1307, Madison, NC

Built 1949 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 950

NC208

Good

Over: LITTLE LAUREL CREEK

1.8 MI.N.JCT.SR1307, Madison, NC

Built 1949 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 950

NC213

Good

Over: HAYES RUN

.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1390, Madison, NC

Built 1976 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 5,800

NC212

Good

Over: HICKORY FORK CREEK

.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1310, Madison, NC

Built 1962 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 450

SR1312

Good

Over: BIG CREEK

.1 MI.N.JCT.NC212, Madison, NC

Built 1970 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 200

SR1395

Good

Over: WALNUT CREEK

.3 MI.N.JCT.SR1375, Madison, NC

Built 1964 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 850

SR1502

Good

Over: PUNCHEON FORK

.7 MI.S.JCT.SR1501, Madison, NC

Built 1974 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 500

SR1609

Good

Over: BIG BRANCH

0.01 MI.S.JCT.SR1540, Madison, NC

Built 1953 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,200

US64A

Good

Over: FLAT SWAMP

0.2 MI. W. JCT. SR1301, Martin, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,400

NC903

Good

Over: ROSS SWAMP

0.2 MI. N. JCT. SR1401, Martin, NC

Built 1968 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,200

ROBERSON STREET

Good

Over: SKEWAKEE GUT PERENNIAL S

0.15 MI. W. JCT. MAIN ST., Martin, NC

Built 2008 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 250

US64

Good

Over: CANE CREEK

1 MI.W.JCT.NC226, McDowell, NC

Built 1955 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 3,100

US221

Good

Over: N MUDDY CREEK

0.5 MI.N.JCT.SR1153, McDowell, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 7,100

SR1794

Good

Over: YOUNGS FORK CREEK

.02 MI.S.JCT.NC226, McDowell, NC

Built 1993 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,200

SR1163

Good

Over: SECOND BROAD RIVER

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

Built 2009 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 640

NC226

Good

Over: KATY CREEK

.01 MI.S.JCT.SR1798, McDowell, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,600

SR1161

Good

Over: GLADES CREEK

.6 MI.W.JCT.SR1263, McDowell, NC

Built 1998 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,000

US221

Good

Over: POND BRANCH

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1560, McDowell, NC

Built 1958 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 3,100

I-40

Good

Over: NORTH MUDDY CREEK

.6 MI.W.JCT.SR1168, McDowell, NC

Built 1958 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 36,000

SR1771

Good

Over: MAGAZINE BRANCH

.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1772, McDowell, NC

Built 2011 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,100

SR1150

Good

Over: SECOND BROAD RIVER

.1 MI.N.JCT.SR1148, McDowell, NC

Built 1998 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 200

SR1267

Good

Over: COVE CREEK

.2 MI.E.JCT.SR1001, McDowell, NC

Built 2000 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 120

SR1786

Good

Over: NORTH MUDDY CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1168, McDowell, NC

Built 1962 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,000

Showing 11,651-11,700 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.