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

US17BUS

Poor

Over: PEMBROKE CREEK

0.5MI.N.JCT.SR 1201, Chowan, NC

Built 1951 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 3,600

US74 EBL

Poor

Over: SANDY RUN CREEK

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

Built 1925 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 10,000

US15

Poor

Over: TAR RIVER

7.8 MI.N. JCT. NC56, Granville, NC

Built 1924 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 4,200

BIG CREEK ENTRANCE

Poor

Over: CHESTNUT BRANCH

0.3 MILES FROM NC ROUTE 2, Haywood, NC

Built 1984 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 1

W.MCLELLAND AVENUE

Poor

Over: UT TO REEDS CREEK

0.1 MI. E. JCT. NC150, Iredell, NC

Built 1991 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 7,400

SR1107

Poor

Over: CHATTOOGA RIVER

2.7 MI.S.JCT.NC107, Jackson, NC

Built 1970 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 110

NC903

Poor

Over: NEUSE RIVER

100 FT. S. JCT. SR1313, Lenoir, NC

Built 1977 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 2,700

SR1370

Poor

Over: WEST FORK BULL CREEK

0.35 MI.N.JCT.SR1364, Madison, NC

Built 1958 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 1,400

SR1318

Poor

Over: BIG LAUREL CREEK

.15 MI.W.JCT.SR1334, Madison, NC

Built 1951 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 350

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Poor

Over: RAVINE

3.1 MILES TO NC ROUTE 80, McDowell, NC

Built 1938 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 5,007

NC53

Poor

Over: ANGOLA CREEK

2.0 MI W. OF JCT NC50, Pender, NC

Built 1947 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 5,200

SR1330

Poor

Over: LITTLE WHITE OAK CREEK

1.0 MI.E.JCT.SR1324, Polk, NC

Built 1962 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 250

NC41,NC72

Poor

Over: LUMBER RIVER

100' W. OF JCT.SR1536, Robeson, NC

Built 1934 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 13,000

NC700

Poor

Over: DAN RIVER

0.5 MI. N. JCT. SR1951, Rockingham, NC

Built 1955 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 2,900

NC14,NC87

Poor

Over: NORFOLK SOUTHERN RR

0.5 MI. N. JCT. NC770, Rockingham, NC

Built 1966 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 12,000

SR1975

Poor

Over: THIRD CREEK

0.2 MI. W. JCT. SR1974, Rowan, NC

Built 1923 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 360

SR1931

Poor

Over: HILLS CREEK

.6 MI.W.JCT.SR1930, Rutherford, NC

Built 1966 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 300

SR1149

Poor

Over: CLEGHORN CREEK

.06 MI.W.JCT.SR1005, Rutherford, NC

Built 1960 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 520

US52 SBL

Poor

Over: SOU. RR,HEATHERLY CREEK

.7 MI.N.JCT.NC268, Surry, NC

Built 1960 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 13,500

SR1103

Poor

Over: SILVERMINE CREEK

.6 MI.S.JCT.US19,74, Swain, NC

Built 1953 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 220

SR1505

Poor

Over: STUMPLICK BRANCH

0.2 MI. E. JCT. SR1550, Union, NC

Built 1958 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 200

SR1508

Poor

Over: ELK CREEK

0.5 MI.S.JCT.SR1583, Watauga, NC

Built 1974 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 370

SR1132

Poor

Over: BEAVER CREEK

100'S.JCT.SR1131, Wilkes, NC

Built 1957 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 490

SR1404

Poor

Over: PATSY CREEK

.4 MI.N.JCT.SR1395, Yancey, NC

Built 1964 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 110

NC88,194

Poor

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

.3 MI.N.JCT.SR1131, Ashe, NC

Built 1949 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 6,500

SR1159

Poor

Over: SOUTH FORK NEW RIVER

.6 MI.N.JCT.SR1162, Ashe, NC

Built 1997 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 550

SR1158

Poor

Over: WHITEOAK CREEK

150 FT.S.JCT.SR1157, Avery, NC

Built 2001 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 100

SR1733

Poor

Over: FLAT CREEK

.4 MI.W.JCT.SR1737, Buncombe, NC

Built 1959 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 1,550

SR1512

Poor

Over: HOWARD CREEK

0.4 MI.E.JCT.SR1536, Burke, NC

Built 1976 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 500

SR1325

Poor

Over: UT TO MAYNE CREEK

0.1 MI. N. JCT. SR1334, Cleveland, NC

Built 1953 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 110

US64

Poor

Over: CROATAN SOUND

1.6 MI. E. JCT. SR1113, Dare, NC

Built 1955 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 2,400

NC561

Poor

Over: SANDY CREEK

3.7 MI. W. JCT. NC58, Franklin, NC

Built 1950 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 3,000

NC27

Poor

Over: UPPER LITTLE RIVER

0.2 MI. E. OF JCT. SR1117, Harnett, NC

Built 1961 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 4,900

SR1619

Poor

Over: BEAVERDAM CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.SR1613, Haywood, NC

Built 2015 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 2,600

US64

Poor

Over: BROAD RIVER

.1 MI.S.JCT.US74A, Henderson, NC

Built 1957 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 2,600

NC42

Poor

Over: SWIFT CREEK

0.7 MI W JCT SR1525, Johnston, NC

Built 1947 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 21,000

US70

Poor

Over: CATAWBA RIVER OVER FLOW

200 FT.E.JCT.SR1432, McDowell, NC

Built 1952 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 14,500

NC261

Poor

Over: FALL CREEK

.8 MI.N.JCT.SR1345, Mitchell, NC

Built 1954 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 800

SR1111

Poor

Over: GRASSY CREEK

.31 MI.S.JCT.SR1106, Mitchell, NC

Built 1981 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 250

SR1544

Poor

Over: STONEY CREEK

0.7 MI N. OF JCT US64, Nash, NC

Built 1977 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 2,700

SR1356

Poor

Over: BR. OF KIRBY'S CREEK

1.3 MI.S. OF JCT.SR1351, Northampton, NC

Built 1979 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 160

NC304

Poor

Over: SMITH CREEK

0.7 MI. N. OF JCT NC307, Pamlico, NC

Built 1954 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 1,700

SR2613

Poor

Over: MILL CREEK

0.1 MI. W. JCT. SR1003, Randolph, NC

Built 1976 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 380

SR1724

Poor

Over: SOUTHERN RAILROAD

0.2 MI. S. JCT. US70, Rowan, NC

Built 1961 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 3,000

US74BUS

Poor

Over: SECOND BROAD RIVER

.2 MI.W.JCT.SR1006, Rutherford, NC

Built 1921 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 8,700

SR1103

Poor

Over: SILVERMINE CREEK

.45 MI.S.JCT.US19,74, Swain, NC

Built 1953 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 320

SR1137

Poor

Over: BOWERS CREEK

0.05 MI.W.JCT.SR1143, Swain, NC

Built 1978 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 650

US64 EBL

Poor

Over: DAVIDSON RIVER

.1 MI.W.JCT.US276,NC280, Transylvania, NC

Built 1957 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 13,500

SR1536

Poor

Over: BUCKHORN CREEK

25 FT.S.JCT.SR1560, Transylvania, NC

Built 1960 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 660

NC903

Poor

Over: LAKE GASTON

1.7 MI N JCT SR1357, Warren, NC

Built 1961 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 3,600

Showing 18,251-18,300 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.