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

SR 1122

Good

Over: UT TO WATAUGA RIVER

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1121, Watauga, NC

Built 2019 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 430

SR1533

Good

Over: AHO BRANCH CREEK

200 FT.N.JCT.SR1530, Watauga, NC

Built 2000 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,300

SR1233

Good

Over: COVE CREEK

.1 MI.N.JCT.SR1217, Watauga, NC

Built 2009 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 520

US221

Good

Over: UT TO GAP CREEK

.1 MI.N.JCT.SR1360, Watauga, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 10,500

NC194

Good

Over: RITTLE FORK CREEK

.1 MI.N.JCT.SR1396, Watauga, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,700

WAYNE AVE.

Good

Over: BIG DITCH

0.1MI.E.JCT.GEORGE ST., Wayne, NC

Built 1974 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 100

SR1003

Good

Over: STONEY CREEK

0.75 MI.W. JCT. SR1556, Wayne, NC

Built 1971 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,500

SR1130

Good

Over: BEAVER CREEK

150 FT.W.JCT.SR1129, Wilkes, NC

Built 2002 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 150

SR1313

Good

Over: FISH DAM CREEK

25 FT.W.JCT.SR1315, Wilkes, NC

Built 2022 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 140

US421 BYP

Good

Over: LITTLE CUB CREEK

0.5 MI.S.JCT.SR1001, Wilkes, NC

Built 1966 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 26,000

SR2321

Good

Over: UT TO YADKIN RIVER

.3.MI.E.JCT.SR2320, Wilkes, NC

Built 2000 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 310

SR2413

Good

Over: OSBORN CREEK

.4 MI.E.JCT.SR2400, Wilkes, NC

Built 2004 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 400

NC42

Good

Over: MARSH SWAMP

0.1 MI. E. OF SR1142, Wilson, NC

Built 1939 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 8,500

RALSTON STREET

Good

Over: HOMINY SWAMP CANAL

600 FT.E.JCT.BALDREE RD., Wilson, NC

Built 1968 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 300

SR1176

Good

Over: DOBBINS CREEK

.4 MI.S.JCT.SR1100, Yadkin, NC

Built 1954 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 400

SR1116

Good

Over: BIG BRANCH

.3 MI.W.JCT.SR1103, Yadkin, NC

Built 2017 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 650

SR1109

Good

Over: NORTH LITTLE HUNTING CRK

.4 MI.S.JCT.SR1100, Yadkin, NC

Built 1998 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 200

SR1319

Good

Over: DOBBINS CREEK

.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1320, Yadkin, NC

Built 2021 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 200

SR1372

Good

Over: UT TO DEEP CREEK

.5 MI.S.JCT.US601, Yadkin, NC

Built 1997 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 850

US19E, SR1427

Good

Over: LITTLE CRABTREE CREEK

.02 MI.S.JCT.SR1141, Yancey, NC

Built 1952 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 17,000

US19E

Good

Over: GEORGE FORK CREEK

.01 MI.W.JCT.SR1143, Yancey, NC

Built 1952 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 15,000

SR1323

Good

Over: SHOAL CREEK

0.55MI.N.JCT.US19E, Yancey, NC

Built 2019 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 470

US19E

Good

Over: LITTLE CRABTREE CREEK

0.01 MI.S.JCT.NC80, Yancey, NC

Built 1962 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 10,500

SR1330

Good

Over: MINE FORK CREEK

0.6M. S. JCT. NC197, Yancey, NC

Built 1971 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 220

SR1411

Good

Over: LITTLE CREEK

.2 MI.W.JCT.SR1420, Yancey, NC

Built 1974 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 250

NC197

Good

Over: MINE FORK CREEK

.3 MI.N.JCT.SR1330, Yancey, NC

Built 1947 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,200

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Good

Over: RAVINE

2.54 MILES FROM U.S. ROUT, Avery, NC

Built 1987 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 2,397

MOTSU ACCESS RD

Good

Over: GOVERNORS CREEK

2.5 MI E OF SR 87, Brunswick, NC

Built 2020 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 100

NFSR 81

Good

Over: SAND CREEK

5.9 MI. FROM SR 1127, Graham, NC

Built 1999 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 50

FB 13

Good

Over: DEEP CREEK

PU 681 921, Hoke, NC

Built 2015 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 2

FIREBREAK 31

Good

Over: ROCKFISH CREEK

RANGE GG1 (W), Hoke, NC

Built 2014 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1

FIREBREAK 34

Good

Over: ROCKFISH CREEK

RANGE GG1 (W), Hoke, NC

Built 2014 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1

FIREBREAK 4

Good

Over: MCDUFFIE CREEK

RANGE I12 (W), Hoke, NC

Built 2013 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1

FIREBREAK 24

Good

Over: ROCKFISH CREEK

RANGE CC1 (SW) AREA, Hoke, NC

Built 2015 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1

FIREBREAK 28

Good

Over: SILVER RUN

RANGE BB1 (E) AREA, Hoke, NC

Built 2014 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1

FIREBREAK 39

Good

Over: TUCKAHOE CREEK

RANGE X1 (W) AREA, Hoke, NC

Built 2014 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1

FIREBREAK 19

Good

Over: DEEP CREEK

RANGE R (N), Hoke, NC

Built 2015 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1

FIREBREAK 26

Good

Over: ROCKFISH CREEK

RANGE CC1 (S), Hoke, NC

Built 2015 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1

FIREBREAK 14

Good

Over: ROCKFISH CREEK

RANGE GG2 (W), Hoke, NC

Built 2014 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1

FIREBREAK 23

Good

Over: ROCKFISH CREEK

RANGE CC1 (SW), Hoke, NC

Built 2013 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1

FIREBREAK 27

Good

Over: PINEY BOTTOM CREEK

RANGE CC1 (E), Hoke, NC

Built 2015 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1

FIREBREAK 6

Good

Over: ROCKFISH CREEK

RANGE BB2 (W), Hoke, NC

Built 2013 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1

MORGANTON RD

Good

Over: PINEY BOTTOM CREEK

RANGE CC2 (S), Hoke, NC

Built 2017 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1

FIREBREAK 6

Good

Over: NICHOLSON CREEK

PU 632 836, Hoke, NC

Built 2018 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 1

IRR BIA RTE 1410

Good

Over: OCONALUFTEE RIVER

3.1 KM N OF CHEROKEE, NC, Jackson, NC

Built 1964 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 2,050

IRR BIA RTE 1413

Good

Over: SOCO CREEK

3.5KM EAST OF CHEROKEE NC, Jackson, NC

Built 2022 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 2,900

IRR BIA RTE 689

Good

Over: WRIGHTS CREEK

2.3KM NE OF US19/IRR1413, Jackson, NC

Built 2016 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 10

IRR BIA RTE 653

Good

Over: WRIGHTS CREEK

3.8KM E OF CHEROKEE, NC, Jackson, NC

Built 2013 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 60

MAIN ENTRANCE ROAD

Good

Over: DROWNING CREEK

PU 405 789, Moore, NC

Built 1980 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 500

MSR TO AIRFIELD

Good

Over: STREAM TO MOSS GILL LAKE

PU 383 778, Scotland, NC

Built 2005 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 50

Showing 11,951-12,000 of 18,901 bridges

Related

All states → | National rankings → | Understanding conditions → | SD bridges explained →
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.