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

NC144

Good

Over: JUNIPER CREEK

150 FT. W. JCT. SR1424, Scotland, NC

Built 1978 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 1,600

SR1614

Good

Over: GUM SWAMP CREEK

0.4 MI. S. JCT. SR1105, Scotland, NC

Built 2003 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 1,100

US52,NC24/27

Good

Over: WSSB RAILROAD

0.05 MI. E. JCT. NC138, Stanly, NC

Built 2004 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 22,000

SR1674

Good

Over: REDMAN CREEK

0.5 MI. N. JCT. SR1697, Stokes, NC

Built 1997 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 730

SR1389

Good

Over: UT TO LOVILLS CREEK

0.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1633, Surry, NC

Built 1956 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 550

SR1306

Good

Over: CREEK

.4 MI.N.JCT.SR1302, Surry, NC

Built 2018 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 80

SR1133

Good

Over: BRUSH CREEK

.5 MI.E.JCT.SR1132, Swain, NC

Built 2015 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 200

SR2134

Good

Over: BRANCH OF RICHARDSON CRK

0.2 MI.E.JCT.SR2115, Union, NC

Built 2014 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 60

SR1931

Good

Over: RICHLAND CREEK

0.1 MI. S. JCT. SR1931, Wake, NC

Built 2016 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 2,300

SR2507

Good

Over: MARKS CREEK

1.3 MI E JCT SR2233, Wake, NC

Built 2014 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 2,500

NC55 BYP

Good

Over: WILDLIFE UNDERPASS

1.0 MI. W. JCT. SR1172, Wake, NC

Built 2003 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 18,500

NC55 BYP.W

Good

Over: WILDLIFE UNDERPASS

1.0 MI. W. JCT. SR1172, Wake, NC

Built 2003 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 18,500

NC540S (TOLL)

Good

Over: JACKS BRANCH

0.72 MI S JCT SR1605, Wake, NC

Built 2012 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 11,500

NC540N

Good

Over: JACKS BRANCH

0.72 MI. S. JCT. SR1605, Wake, NC

Built 2012 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 18,000

SR1100

Good

Over: FISHING CREEK

0.3 MI N. OF SR1114, Warren, NC

Built 2009 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 550

SR1351

Good

Over: GRASSY CREEK

.3 MI.E.JCT.SR1354, Watauga, NC

Built 2019 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 120

SR1200

Good

Over: WATAUGA RIVER

.2 MI.N.JCT.US321, Watauga, NC

Built 2005 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 330

I795S

Good

Over: NAHUNTA SWAMP

0.6 MI. N. SR1362, Wayne, NC

Built 2002 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 9,000

SR1150

Good

Over: NAKED CREEK

.8 MI.S.JCT.US421, Wilkes, NC

Built 2012 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 60

SR1737

Good

Over: EAST PRONG ROARING RIVER

25 FT.E.JCT.SR1742, Wilkes, NC

Built 2017 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 670

SR2321

Good

Over: GRAYS CREEK

.4 MI.W.JCT.SR2320, Wilkes, NC

Built 2000 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 310

SR1628

Good

Over: CONTENTNEA CREEK

1.1 MI. W. JCT. SR1602, Wilson, NC

Built 2011 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 300

WILSON BLVD

Good

Over: WALLACE CREEK RD

1.2 KM NW OF HOLCOMB BLVD, Onslow, NC

Built 2016 Load: 40.2 t ADT: 10,000

WILSON BLVD

Good

Over: WALLACE CREEK RD

1.2 KM NW OF HOLCOMB BLVD, Onslow, NC

Built 2016 Load: 40.2 t ADT: 10,000

NFSR 239

Good

Over: LOCUST CREEK

1.2 MI WEST NC 80, Yancey, NC

Built 1984 Load: 40.2 t ADT: 50

NFSR 239

Good

Over: UPPER LOCUST CREEK

2.8 MI WEST NC 80, Yancey, NC

Built 1984 Load: 40.2 t ADT: 50

SR1241

Good

Over: SHAW CREEK

0.2 MI. W. JCT. SR1216, Anson, NC

Built 1966 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 10

US221

Good

Over: NAKED CREEK

.2 MI.W.JCT.NC88, Ashe, NC

Built 1981 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 14,000

NC32

Good

Over: PUNGO CREEK

7.5 MI. N. JCT. US264, Beaufort, NC

Built 2013 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,700

NC210

Good

Over: COLLY CREEK

2.5 MI.N.JCT.NC53, Bladen, NC

Built 1994 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 680

NC63

Good

Over: DIX CREEK

.3 MI.E.JCT.SR1305, Buncombe, NC

Built 2020 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 16,000

SR3128

Good

Over: GAP CREEK

.03 MI.W.JCT.SR3127, Buncombe, NC

Built 2017 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 250

SR2806

Good

Over: FLAT CREEK

.05 MI.W.JCT.SR2786, Buncombe, NC

Built 2014 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,300

NC151

Good

Over: MORGAN BRANCH

.05 MI.S.JCT.SR1115, Buncombe, NC

Built 2000 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 6,600

SR2079

Good

Over: NORTH FORK IVY CREEK

.01 MI.N.JCT.NC197, Buncombe, NC

Built 2013 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 140

AZALEA RD.

Good

Over: SWANNANOA RIVER

.05 MI S GASHES CREEK RD, Buncombe, NC

Built 2019 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,800

SR1736

Good

Over: CAMP CREEK

.5 MI.S.JCT.SR1802, Burke, NC

Built 2009 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 800

SR1233

Good

Over: LAKE JAMES SPILLWAY

0.2 MI.S.JCT.SR1223, Burke, NC

Built 1990 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,700

SR1258

Good

Over: ROSES CREEK

1.0 MI.E.JCT.SR1240, Burke, NC

Built 2018 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 170

SR1940

Good

Over: HUNTING CREEK

0.1 MI.E.JCT.SR1999, Burke, NC

Built 2005 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 4,400

SR1132

Good

Over: IRISH BUFFALO CREEK

0.8 MI. N. JCT. SR1151, Cabarrus, NC

Built 2000 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 4,500

SR2623

Good

Over: LITTLE MEADOW CREEK

0.1 MI. S. JCT. SR2624, Cabarrus, NC

Built 2013 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 180

SR1356

Good

Over: JOHNS RIVER

1.4 MI.N.JCT.NC90, Caldwell, NC

Built 2013 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,100

NC343

Good

Over: SAWYER CREEK

0.5 MI. N. OF JCT. US158, Camden, NC

Built 2011 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 5,000

SR1565

Good

Over: PR. COUNTRY LINE CREEK

2.6 MI. E. JCT. NC62, Caswell, NC

Built 2005 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 290

NC16

Good

Over: REED CREEK

0.6 MI.W.JC.SR1895, Catawba, NC

Built 2016 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 6,000

SR1151

Good

Over: CEDAR CREEK

250 FT.S. JCT. SR2308, Chatham, NC

Built 2005 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 180

SR2153

Good

Over: DEEP RIVER

0.1 MI. S. JCT. SR2145, Chatham, NC

Built 1992 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 210

SR1340

Good

Over: OWL CREEK

1 MI.N.JCT.SR1331, Cherokee, NC

Built 2014 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 340

NC60

Good

Over: NOTTELY RIVER

250 FT.W.JCT.SR1598, Cherokee, NC

Built 1998 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 4,000

Showing 12,951-13,000 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.