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

NC32,NC37,NC94

Poor

Over: ALBEMARLE SOUND

0.1 MI. N. JCT. SR1315, Washington, NC

Built 1990 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 4,000

SR2503

Poor

Over: LITTLE HUNTING CREEK

0.01 MI.S.JCT.SR2418, Wilkes, NC

Built 1984 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 120

SR1401

Poor

Over: BALD MTN CREEK

.01 MI.S.JCT.SR1395, Yancey, NC

Built 1960 Load: 26.3 t ADT: 80

SR1928

Poor

Over: SOUTHERN R.R.

0.05 MI. S. OF JCT. US70, Alamance, NC

Built 1972 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 16,000

NC742

Poor

Over: RICHARDSON CREEK

0.4 MI. E. JCT. SR1459, Anson, NC

Built 1953 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 1,400

SR1573

Poor

Over: GRASSY CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1535, Ashe, NC

Built 1964 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 200

US264

Poor

Over: PUNGO RIVER

0.1 MI.E. JCT.SR1712, Beaufort, NC

Built 1956 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 2,500

NC906

Poor

Over: SARAH HOLE

0.1MI.S. JCT. SR1501, Brunswick, NC

Built 1952 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 1,400

SR1620

Poor

Over: FRENCH BROAD RVR.SO.RR

.01 MI.W.JCT.NC.251, Buncombe, NC

Built 1968 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 4,400

SR1740

Poor

Over: FLAT CREEK

1.4 MI.S.JCT.SR1756, Buncombe, NC

Built 1961 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 1,300

SR3449

Poor

Over: BEAVERDAM CREEK

.01 MI.E.JCT.SR3466, Buncombe, NC

Built 1977 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 450

US64,NC18

Poor

Over: JOHNS RIVER

.2 MI.S.JCT.SR1434, Burke, NC

Built 1934 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 11,500

US64,NC18

Poor

Over: GREASY CREEK

100 FT.W.JCT.SR1933, Caldwell, NC

Built 1960 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 18,000

NC86

Poor

Over: HOGAN'S CREEK

1.13 MI. N. JCT. SR1300, Caswell, NC

Built 1957 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 8,500

NC180

Poor

Over: CSX RR

0.3 MI. N. JCT. NC150, Cleveland, NC

Built 1950 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 8,700

NC275

Poor

Over: S. FORK CATAWBA RIVER

0.1 MI. W. JCT. SR1836, Gaston, NC

Built 1953 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 9,400

SR1116

Poor

Over: COLE CREEK

0.85 MI. N. JCT SR1114, Gates, NC

Built 1975 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 150

SR1158

Poor

Over: RICHLAND CREEK

0.7 MI. N. JCT. SR1188, Guilford, NC

Built 1976 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 950

SR1328

Poor

Over: BOYLSTON CREEK

.3 MI.E.JCT.NC280, Henderson, NC

Built 1960 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 260

SR1436

Poor

Over: BIG MARSH SWAMP

0.1 MI. S. JCT. SR1444, Hoke, NC

Built 1951 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 410

SR2158

Poor

Over: FIFTH CREEK

0.8 MI. S. JCT. SR2141, Iredell, NC

Built 1951 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 2,300

NC42

Poor

Over: WHITE OAK CREEK

0.15 MI. E. JCT. SR1549, Johnston, NC

Built 1947 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 20,000

NC210

Poor

Over: MIDDLE CREEK

0.2MI E.JCT SR1341, Johnston, NC

Built 1934 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 5,900

NC182

Poor

Over: INDIAN CREEK

0.7 MI. E. JCT. SR1167, Lincoln, NC

Built 1951 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 950

NC28

Poor

Over: COWEE CREEK

0.4 MI. N. JCT. SR1340, Macon, NC

Built 1921 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 2,100

NC209

Poor

Over: MEADOW FORK CREEK

.04 MI.S.JCT.SR1175, Madison, NC

Built 1938 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 400

SR1318

Poor

Over: BIG LAUREL CREEK

.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1343, Madison, NC

Built 1980 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 750

SR1526

Poor

Over: CROOKED CREEK

.9 MI.W.JCT.SR1527, Madison, NC

Built 1964 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 700

SR1103

Poor

Over: LITTLE CROOKED CREEK

.05 MI.S.JCT.SR1128, McDowell, NC

Built 1978 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 2,200

SR2138

Poor

Over: TORRENCE CREEK

0.2 MI. S. JCT. SR2136, Mecklenburg, NC

Built 1955 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 11,000

SR1002

Poor

Over: BIG CRABTREE CREEK

.38 MI.S.JCT.US19E, Mitchell, NC

Built 1966 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 700

SR1714

Poor

Over: TAR RIVER

0.1 MI E JCT SR1715, Nash, NC

Built 1959 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 15,500

US74

Poor

Over: BANKS CHANNEL

0.8 MI. W. OF JCT. US76, New Hanover, NC

Built 1957 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 10,000

NC226

Poor

Over: N. FORK FIRST BROAD CK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1728, Rutherford, NC

Built 1955 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 1,700

US64

Poor

Over: COVE CREEK

.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1183, Rutherford, NC

Built 1940 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 2,700

SR1547

Poor

Over: CATHEYS CREEK

.4 MI.N.JCT.SR1548, Rutherford, NC

Built 1968 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 320

SR1538

Poor

Over: CATHEYS CREEK

.6 MI.E.JCT.SR1548, Rutherford, NC

Built 1967 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 1,200

SR1100

Poor

Over: UT TO BEAVER CREEK

0.1 MI.W.JCT.SR2204, Surry, NC

Built 1952 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 1,000

SR1135

Poor

Over: FRENCH BROAD RIVER

.05 MI.W.JCT.US178, Transylvania, NC

Built 1957 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 320

SR2911 NEW BERN

Poor

Over: CRABTREE CR.& N.S.RR

0.3 MI. W. JCT. I440, Wake, NC

Built 1964 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 20,500

US421B

Poor

Over: REDDIES RIVER

0.25 MI. E. JCT. SR1500, Wilkes, NC

Built 1935 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 18,000

SR2049

Poor

Over: LONG BRANCH

.2 MI.S.JCT.SR2080, Wilkes, NC

Built 1978 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 1,100

SR1314

Poor

Over: UT TO DOBBINS CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.SR1300, Yadkin, NC

Built 1918 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 440

NC197

Poor

Over: BOWLENS CREEK

.03 MI.S.JCT.SR1139, Yancey, NC

Built 1939 Load: 27.2 t ADT: 2,500

SR1602

Poor

Over: NATHANS CREEK

150 FT.S.JCT.US221, Ashe, NC

Built 1959 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 650

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Poor

Over: LAUREL FORK

0.5 MILES FROM NC ROUTE 1, Ashe, NC

Built 1939 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 2,300

NC306 FERRY

Poor

Over: PAMLICO RIVER

0.3 MI S.JCT.NC92, Beaufort, NC

Built 1994 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 400

SR3431

Poor

Over: HOMINY CREEK

.4 MI.S.JCT.NC191, Buncombe, NC

Built 1969 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 200

SR2416

Poor

Over: BR.OF DUTCH BUFFALO CRK.

0.25 MI. E. JCT. SR2426, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1957 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 620

N. ELAM AVENUE

Poor

Over: NORTH BUFFALO CREEK

.05MI.S JCT.BENJAMIN PKWY, Guilford, NC

Built 1958 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 3,000

Showing 18,301-18,350 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.