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

SR1104

Poor

Over: S.FORK NEW RIVER

0.05 E.JCT.SR1106, Ashe, NC

Built 1962 Load: 5.4 t ADT: 30

SR1319

Poor

Over: FAR CREEK

.02 MI N JCT US264, Hyde, NC

Built 1958 Load: 5.4 t ADT: 160

SR1780

Poor

Over: CANEY FORK CREEK

0.01 MI.W.JCT.SR1737, Jackson, NC

Built 1963 Load: 5.4 t ADT: 120

SR1001

Poor

Over: NORTH PRONG ELLIJAY CREE

.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1528, Macon, NC

Built 1974 Load: 5.4 t ADT: 100

SR1534

Poor

Over: POLEY BRANCH

1.6 MI. N. JCT. NC111, Duplin, NC

Built 1970 Load: 6.3 t ADT: 450

SR1609

Poor

Over: TABB'S CREEK

.5 MI.E.SR1641, Granville, NC

Built 1955 Load: 6.3 t ADT: 410

SR1505

Poor

Over: GOBLE CREEK

0.1 MI. N. JCT. SR1505, Iredell, NC

Built 1966 Load: 6.3 t ADT: 200

US76

Poor

Over: BANKS CHANNEL

0.5 MI.E. OF JCT.US74, New Hanover, NC

Built 1972 Load: 6.3 t ADT: 13,500

SR1005

Poor

Over: BEARD CREEK

2.2 MI W. OF JCT NC306, Pamlico, NC

Built 1964 Load: 6.3 t ADT: 1,000

SR1753

Poor

Over: HINTON CREEK

0.2 MI.S.JCT.SR1755, Rutherford, NC

Built 1974 Load: 6.3 t ADT: 100

SR1001

Poor

Over: CUB CREEK

.15 MI.S.JCT.NC18,NC268, Wilkes, NC

Built 1969 Load: 6.3 t ADT: 5,600

SR1939

Poor

Over: SPARKS CREEK

.5 MI.S.JCT.SR1943, Wilkes, NC

Built 1965 Load: 6.3 t ADT: 190

SR1563

Poor

Over: N.FORK NEW RIVER

250 FT.W.JCT.SR1557, Ashe, NC

Built 1959 Load: 7.2 t ADT: 100

SR1345

Poor

Over: HANGING DOG CREEK

.05 MI.W.JCT.SR1342, Cherokee, NC

Built 1966 Load: 7.2 t ADT: 370

SR1153

Poor

Over: CODDLE CREEK

0.6 MI. N. JCT. SR1150, Iredell, NC

Built 1969 Load: 7.2 t ADT: 1,200

SR1573

Poor

Over: SNOW CREEK

0.25 MI. E. JCT. SR1561, Iredell, NC

Built 1965 Load: 7.2 t ADT: 170

SR1512

Poor

Over: THIRD CREEK

0.3 MI. S. JCT. SR1518, Iredell, NC

Built 1962 Load: 7.2 t ADT: 700

SR1337

Poor

Over: NORRIS FORK CREEK

.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1336, Watauga, NC

Built 1966 Load: 7.2 t ADT: 290

SR1645

Poor

Over: LEE CREEK

0.03 MI.W.JCT.SR1647, Buncombe, NC

Built 1971 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 640

SR1544

Poor

Over: HERMAN CREEK

0.2 MI. W. JCT. SR1491, Catawba, NC

Built 1975 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 1,600

SR1237

Poor

Over: PRONG OF BEAR SWAMP CREE

0.2 MI. N. JCT. SR1235, Franklin, NC

Built 1959 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 170

SR1107

Poor

Over: ROCK CREEK

.8 MI.W.JCT.SR1108, Henderson, NC

Built 1963 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 100

SR1143

Poor

Over: CODDLE CREEK

0.3 MI. S. JCT. SR1144, Iredell, NC

Built 1975 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 1,500

SR1107

Poor

Over: NORTON MILL CREEK

.5 MI.S.JCT.SR1109, Jackson, NC

Built 1951 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 110

SR1705

Poor

Over: DARK RIDGE CREEK

0.6 MI.N.JCT.SR1706, Jackson, NC

Built 1961 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 330

SR1396

Poor

Over: LEFT PRONG BURNINGTOWN C

.4 MI.W.JCT.SR1392, Macon, NC

Built 1965 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 70

SR1001

Poor

Over: COVE CREEK

0.6 MI.N.JCT.SR1335, Rutherford, NC

Built 1951 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 450

SR1598

Poor

Over: TURKEY CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.NC280, Transylvania, NC

Built 1968 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 660

SR1911

Poor

Over: NEW LIGHT CREEK

1.1 MI N. OF JCT SR1909, Wake, NC

Built 1961 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 500

SR1134

Poor

Over: DUTCH CREEK

1.8 MI.S.JCT.SR1158, Watauga, NC

Built 1990 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 500

SR2044

Poor

Over: ELKIN CREEK

200 FT.W.JCT.SR2037, Wilkes, NC

Built 1966 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 1,100

SR1350

Poor

Over: PURLEAR CREEK

.4 MI.W.JCT.SR1349, Wilkes, NC

Built 1962 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 10

GRAVEL DRIVE

Poor

Over: E.PRONG ROARING RIVER

.7 MI.E.JCT.SR1737, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 100

SR1428

Poor

Over: TRIB. OF WHITE SWAMP

0.5 MI. W. JCT. SR1002, Wilson, NC

Built 1952 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 350

SR1591

Poor

Over: FORBUSH CREEK

50 FT.S.JCT.SR1584, Yadkin, NC

Built 1961 Load: 8.1 t ADT: 190

OLD CATALOOCHEE EN

Poor

Over: CATALOOCHEE CREEK

1.6 MILES FROM NPS ROUTE, Haywood, NC

Built 1920 Load: 8.2 t ADT: 100

SR1812

Poor

Over: JONES CREEK

1.0 MI.S.JCT.SR1121, Anson, NC

Built 1955 Load: 9.0 t ADT: 300

SR1549

Poor

Over: NORTH FORK NEW RIVER

50 FT.S.JCT.SR1550, Ashe, NC

Built 1961 Load: 9.0 t ADT: 70

SR1608

Poor

Over: PINEY BRANCH

.6 MI.N.JCT.SR1603, Ashe, NC

Built 1964 Load: 9.0 t ADT: 60

SR1193

Poor

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

50 FT.N.JCT.SR1131, Ashe, NC

Built 1961 Load: 9.0 t ADT: 40

SR1192

Poor

Over: OBIDS CREEK

15 FT.W.JCT. WITH SR1159, Ashe, NC

Built 1962 Load: 9.0 t ADT: 10

SR1238

Poor

Over: RAGSDALE CREEK

.4 MI.S.JCT.SR1255, Buncombe, NC

Built 1962 Load: 9.0 t ADT: 2,700

US74 BUS

Poor

Over: SEABOARD COAST LINE RR

0.1 MI. E. JCT. SR1167, Cleveland, NC

Built 1950 Load: 9.0 t ADT: 2,600

SR1913

Poor

Over: SUCK CREEK

0.3 MI. E. JCT. SR1908, Cleveland, NC

Built 1966 Load: 9.0 t ADT: 220

SR1108

Poor

Over: CROWDERS CREEK

0.6 MI. N. JCT. SR1109, Gaston, NC

Built 1961 Load: 9.0 t ADT: 1,200

SR1503

Poor

Over: LINER CREEK

2.5 MI.E.JCT.SR1505, Haywood, NC

Built 1959 Load: 9.0 t ADT: 500

SR1129

Poor

Over: SORRELL CREEK

.1 MI.N.JCT.SR1240, Haywood, NC

Built 1961 Load: 9.0 t ADT: 400

SR1511

Poor

Over: CRABTREE CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1503, Haywood, NC

Built 1964 Load: 9.0 t ADT: 100

SR1318

Poor

Over: SAVANNAH CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.US23,441, Jackson, NC

Built 1971 Load: 9.0 t ADT: 470

SR1140

Poor

Over: TUCKASEGEE RIVER

.01 MI.S.JCT.NC281, Jackson, NC

Built 1962 Load: 9.0 t ADT: 50

Showing 17,751-17,800 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.