State profile · Near median Poor share

North Carolina bridge safety

Condition ratings, load ratings, and Poor-condition data for every public highway bridge in North Carolina, based on the FHWA National Bridge Inventory.

18,901
Public bridges
35.8%
Good condition
6.2%
Poor condition

Data updated May 2026

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 whose lowest applicable component is rated 0-4

-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 - Poor-condition share 20.5%
National avg

Lower is better. Bar maxes at 30% (worst-state ceiling). National average sits at 7.0%.

Condition Distribution

North Carolina43%49.7%GoodFairPoor
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 by Poor-condition share (lower share = better)

States are ranked by the share of bridges whose lowest applicable component rating is 4 or below. This describes recorded condition; it does not measure funding effectiveness or live crossing safety. States here sit immediately above and below North Carolina on the same metric.

SC

South Carolina

6.10% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$5,396

WI

Wisconsin

6.13% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$14,851
Selected

NC

North Carolina

6.16% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$18,901

HI

Hawaii

6.47% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$1,206

MT

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 the portal's composite display score. Inspection intervals are risk-based under current NBIS rules.

SR1216

Poor

Over: WEST FORK PIGEON RIVER

100 FT.E.JCT.NC215, Haywood, NC

Built 1920 Load: 1.8 t ADT: 30

TSALI ENOLA ROAD

Poor

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

SR1540

Poor

Over: WILLIAMSON CREEK

.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1580, Transylvania, NC

Built 1976 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 4,000

SR1319

Poor

Over: NORTH FORK FLAT CREEK

.2 MI.W.JCT.SR1316, Transylvania, NC

Built 1962 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 30

SR2482

Poor

Over: ROCKY CREEK

0.9 MI.S.W.JCT.SR2480, Wilkes, NC

Built 1963 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 120

SR1725

Poor

Over: MULBERRY CREEK

.1 MI N. JCT. NC18, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 150

SR1179

Poor

Over: CANE RIVER

0.01 MI.E.JCT.NC197, Yancey, NC

Built 1978 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 40

SR1005

Poor

Over: WELLS CREEK

0.2 MI. W. JCT. SR2368, Alamance, NC

Built 1950 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 1,400

SR1403

Poor

Over: UT TO NEW RIVER

.200 FT.S.JCT.US21,221, Alleghany, NC

Built 1974 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 270

SR1118

Poor

Over: NORTH FORK NEW RIVER

25 FT.N.JCT.SR1274, Ashe, NC

Built 1968 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 370

SR1308

Poor

Over: CABBAGE CREEK

50 FT.W.JCT.SR1307, Ashe, NC

Built 1975 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 230

SR1600

Poor

Over: CRANBERRY CREEK

75 FT.W.JCT.SR1603, Ashe, NC

Built 1973 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 100

SR2426

Poor

Over: SHOPE CREEK

1.8 MI.E.JCT.SR2419, Buncombe, NC

Built 1962 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 630

SR1780

Poor

Over: COUNTRY LINE CREEK

0.7 MI. E. JCT. US158, Caswell, NC

Built 1923 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 100

SR1632

Poor

Over: LITTLE KNOB CREEK

0.3 MI. E. JCT. SR1630, Cleveland, NC

Built 1953 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 300

SR1465

Poor

Over: SWIFT CREEK

0.6 MI.N. OF JCT.NC118, Craven, NC

Built 1973 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 350

FAIRMONT STREET

Poor

Over: NORTH BUFFALO CREEK

.03 MI.W.JCT.E LAKE AVE, Guilford, NC

Built 1928 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 1,000

SR1385

Poor

Over: HEMPHILL CREEK

.05 MI.N.JCT.SR1318, Haywood, NC

Built 1961 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 2,000

SR1210

Poor

Over: BIG WILLOW CREEK

.03 MI.N.JCT.SR1191, Henderson, NC

Built 1959 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 1,500

SR1324

Poor

Over: HICKS CREEK

0.6 MI. E. JCT. SR1324, Iredell, NC

Built 1955 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 1,100

ALLEN STREET

Poor

Over: SCOTT CREEK

.01 MI.S.JCT.MUNICIPAL DR, Jackson, NC

Built 1926 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 500

SR1168

Poor

Over: INDIAN CREEK

0.6 MI. N. JCT. SR1167, Lincoln, NC

Built 1961 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 210

HANGING MOSS TRL

Poor

Over: UT TO DUCK CREEK

0.15 MI. N. JCT. SR4274, Mecklenburg, NC

Built 1988 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 100

SR1321

Poor

Over: HOLLOW POPLAR CREEK

1.65 MI.N.JCT.SR1322, Mitchell, NC

Built 1995 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 150

SR1199

Poor

Over: WHITE OAK CREEK

.3 MI.S.JCT.NC226, Mitchell, NC

Built 1968 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 650

SR1325

Poor

Over: BEANS CREEK

.6 MI.N.JCT.SR1328, Mitchell, NC

Built 1958 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 350

SR1109

Poor

Over: HARRIS CREEK

0.6 MI E. OF JCT SR1111, Onslow, NC

Built 1962 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 870

SR1756

Poor

Over: COW SWAMP

0.4 MI N JCT SR 1777, Pitt, NC

Built 1977 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 700

SR1521

Poor

Over: HOOPER CREEK

.6 MI.E.JCT.SR1520, Polk, NC

Built 1957 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 760

CHESWICK DRIVE

Poor

Over: BIG BRANCH

0.3 MI.E.JCT.OAKLAND RD., Wake, NC

Built 1960 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 5,800

SR1324

Poor

Over: BUCK SWAMP

0.2 MI S JCT SR1325, Wayne, NC

Built 1960 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 1,700

SR2012

Poor

Over: LITTLE BUGABOO CREEK

0.4 MI.E.JCT.SR1990, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 16.3 t ADT: 410

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

WESTMONT DRIVE

Poor

Over: SOUTHERN RAILROAD

0.1MI.N.JCT.GRAHAM PKWY., Mecklenburg, NC

Built 1957 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 3,400

NC581

Poor

Over: TAR RIVER

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

Built 1949 Load: 17.2 t ADT: 2,200

Showing 18,051-18,100 of 18,901 bridges

Related

All states → | National rankings → | Understanding conditions → | Retired SD term explained →
Data sourced from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory (NBI), latest released cycle. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainBridges.

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). Poor condition is an inspection-record category, not a closure or unsafe-to-cross designation. Consult the bridge owner for current status.

Understanding Bridge Conditions

How FHWA rates bridge condition on a 0-9 scale.

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How to look up bridge condition data for bridges on your route.

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