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

SR1131

Poor

Over: WATERFALLS CREEK

.15 MI.S.JCT.SR1129, Alleghany, NC

Built 1963 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 10

SR1361

Poor

Over: RIPSHIN BRANCH

1.1 MI.E.JCT.SR1359, Ashe, NC

Built 1962 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 30

SR1503

Poor

Over: N.FORK NEW RIVER

200 FT.E.JCT.SR1504, Ashe, NC

Built 1965 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 100

SR1138

Poor

Over: SQUIRREL CREEK

100 FT.W. JCT.SR1193, Avery, NC

Built 1967 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 1,000

SR1112

Poor

Over: BLOUNTS CREEK

1.8 MI E. OF JCT SR1118, Beaufort, NC

Built 1990 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 590

NC226

Poor

Over: HINTON CREEK

0.3 MI. N. JCT. SR1393, Cleveland, NC

Built 1955 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 2,300

SR1311

Poor

Over: GOSHEN SWAMP

0.1 MI. E. OF JCT. SR1302, Duplin, NC

Built 1966 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 200

WEST FIRST ST.

Poor

Over: NORFOLK S. RAILROAD (ABA

.5 MI.W.NORTHWEST BLVD., Forsyth, NC

Built 1939 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 10,000

SR2456

Poor

Over: SOUTHERN RR

0.2 MI. N. JCT. SR1825, Forsyth, NC

Built 1928 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 4,300

SR2035

Poor

Over: KINGS CREEK

0.15 MI. S. JCT. SR2034, Guilford, NC

Built 1957 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 100

SR1106

Poor

Over: JOE CREEK

.3 MI.W.JCT.SR1109, Henderson, NC

Built 1972 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 900

SR1127

Poor

Over: SHEPHERD CREEK

.06 MI.S.JCT.SR1222, Henderson, NC

Built 1971 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 11,500

SR1500

Poor

Over: UT TO CATAWBA RIVER

0.6 MI. W. JCT. SR1501, Iredell, NC

Built 1961 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 90

SR1599

Poor

Over: DISHMAN CREEK

0.1 MI. E. JCT. SR1598, Iredell, NC

Built 1960 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 480

NC116

Poor

Over: SAVANNAH CREEK

0.2 MI.S.JCT.SR1323, Jackson, NC

Built 1951 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 3,800

SR1145

Poor

Over: NORTON CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.SR1148, Jackson, NC

Built 1945 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 800

SR1301

Poor

Over: JONES CREEK

0.05 MI.W.JCT.SR1448, Macon, NC

Built 1962 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 20

SR1318

Poor

Over: SPILLCORN CREEK

.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1330, Madison, NC

Built 1951 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 350

NC581

Poor

Over: TAR RIVER

1.4 MI.N.JCT.NC97, Nash, NC

Built 1949 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 2,200

SR1548

Poor

Over: SOUTH FORK LITTLE RIVER

0.1 MI. E. JCT. SR1540, Orange, NC

Built 1954 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 710

SR1501

Poor

Over: FISHING CREEK

1.0 MI S JCT US1, Vance, NC

Built 1950 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 720

SR1509

Poor

Over: BENS CREEK

0.6 MI. N. JCT. SR1530, Warren, NC

Built 1975 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 300

SR1123

Poor

Over: LAUREL CREEK

200 FT.N.JCT.SR1157, Watauga, NC

Built 1965 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 250

SR1158

Poor

Over: COLBERT CREEK

.01 MI.E.JCT.SR1159, Yancey, NC

Built 1956 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 300

SR1102

Poor

Over: NORTH FORK CATTAIL CREEK

.5 MI.E.JCT.SR1103, Yancey, NC

Built 1960 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 420

SR1543

Poor

Over: LYON SWAMP CANAL

0.3 MI. N. JCT. SR1540, Bladen, NC

Built 1954 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 120

NC151

Poor

Over: STONY FORK CREEK

.05 MI.N.JCT.SR1100, Buncombe, NC

Built 1959 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 750

SR1002

Poor

Over: GUNPOWDER CREEK

.6 MI.S.JCT.SR1802, Caldwell, NC

Built 1974 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 5,100

NORTHWEST BLVD.

Poor

Over: PETERS CREEK

100FT.W.JCT.RUNDELL ST., Forsyth, NC

Built 1940 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 6,900

SR1105

Poor

Over: POLECAT CREEK

0.05 MI.E JCT.SR1007, Guilford, NC

Built 1975 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 800

SR1131

Poor

Over: TROUT CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.NC107, Jackson, NC

Built 1963 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 80

SR1737

Poor

Over: CANEY FORK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1744, Jackson, NC

Built 1966 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 460

UNIVERSITY WAY

Poor

Over: CULLOWHEE CREEK

.3 MI.S.JCT.SR1325, Jackson, NC

Built 1973 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 2,800

SR1130

Poor

Over: JONES CREEK

.45 MI.S.JCT.SR1131, Macon, NC

Built 1966 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 110

SR1414

Poor

Over: QUEENS CREEK

50 FT.S.JCT.SR1412, Macon, NC

Built 1940 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 180

SR1395

Poor

Over: BIG LAUREL CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1318, Madison, NC

Built 1965 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 650

SR1339

Poor

Over: BIG LAUREL CREEK

.03 MI.S.JCT.SR1318, Madison, NC

Built 1956 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 40

US17

Poor

Over: CHANEY CREEK

0.5 MI.N. OF JCT.NC24, Onslow, NC

Built 1957 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 28,500

SR1004

Poor

Over: BROAD RIVER

.6 MI.N.JCT.SR1303, Polk, NC

Built 1949 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 1,500

SR1548

Poor

Over: HOLLANDS CREEK

.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1510, Rutherford, NC

Built 1971 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 450

SR1712

Poor

Over: HEAVENERS CREEK

.3 MI.N.JCT.SR1711, Rutherford, NC

Built 1971 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 60

SR1734

Poor

Over: FIRST BROAD RIVER

.01 MI.N.JCT.NC226, Rutherford, NC

Built 1977 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 140

SR1140

Poor

Over: ALARKA CREEK

.15 MI.W.JCT.SR1141, Swain, NC

Built 1961 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 380

SR1533

Poor

Over: FRENCH BROAD RIVER

.4 MI.E.JCT.SR1504, Transylvania, NC

Built 1958 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 3,500

SR1592

Poor

Over: LAMB CREEK

.2 MI.E.JCT.US64,276, Transylvania, NC

Built 1971 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 3,100

SR1301

Poor

Over: TWELVEMILE CREEK

0.2 MI. E. JCT. SR1305, Union, NC

Built 1964 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 6,100

NC105

Poor

Over: WATAUGA RIVER

50 FT.N.JCT.SR1112, Watauga, NC

Built 1955 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 15,000

SR2412

Poor

Over: OSBORN CREEK

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

Built 1975 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 240

SR1108

Poor

Over: WEST PRONG MORAVIAN CREE

1.2MI.W.JCT.SR1202, Wilkes, NC

Built 1967 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 190

SR1303

Poor

Over: PUMPKIN RUN

.5 MI.N.JCT.US421, Wilkes, NC

Built 1961 Load: 18.1 t ADT: 400

Showing 18,001-18,050 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.