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

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

NC179 BUS

Poor

Over: CALABASH RIVER

1.4 MI. E. JCT. SR 1165, Brunswick, NC

Built 1975 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 8,500

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

SR1737

Poor

Over: JOHNS CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1747, Jackson, NC

Built 1940 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 460

SR1629

Poor

Over: LITTLE TENNESSEE RIVER

0.1 MI.E.JCT.US23,441, Macon, NC

Built 1968 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 100

SR1573

Poor

Over: NORTH FORK CATAWBA RIVER

50 FT.E.JCT.US221, McDowell, NC

Built 1972 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 300

NC86

Poor

Over: SOUTHERN RAILWAY

0.4 MI. S. JCT. I85, Orange, NC

Built 1954 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 11,000

NC33

Poor

Over: CAROLINA COASTAL RR

1.8 MI. E. JCT. SR1562, Pitt, NC

Built 1938 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 7,400

SR1762

Poor

Over: SANDY RUN CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1763, Rutherford, NC

Built 1952 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 730

SR1504

Poor

Over: BIG CAMP CREEK

.03 MI.W.JCT.SR1514, Rutherford, NC

Built 1962 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 450

SR1008

Poor

Over: CEDAR CREEK

.35 MI.N.JCT.SR1371, Rutherford, NC

Built 1955 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 950

US1NBL

Poor

Over: SEABOARD RR

1.3MI S JCT US1A, Wake, NC

Built 1941 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 45,500

SR2333

Poor

Over: MULBERRY CREEK

2.1 MI.E.JCT.US421B, Wilkes, NC

Built 1973 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 1,600

SR2046

Poor

Over: LONG BRANCH

.2 MI.W.JCT.SR2029, Wilkes, NC

Built 1963 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 650

SR1185

Poor

Over: YADKIN RIVER

.1 MI.E.JCT US421B, Wilkes, NC

Built 1952 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 5,500

SR1710

Poor

Over: HARMON CREEK

.5 MI.S.JCT.SR1733, Yadkin, NC

Built 1967 Load: 28.1 t ADT: 440

SR1422

Poor

Over: S. C. L. R.R.

0.3 MI. N. JCT. US74, Anson, NC

Built 1970 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 360

NC88

Poor

Over: NORTH FORK NEW RIVER

.3 MI.W.JCT.SR1122, Ashe, NC

Built 1981 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 400

NC306 FERRY

Poor

Over: PAMLICO SOUND

S.END OF NC306, Beaufort, NC

Built 1994 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 270

SR1348

Poor

Over: FRENCH BROAD RVR.SO.RR

0.1 MI.W.JCT.NC251, Buncombe, NC

Built 1971 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 4,900

SR1220

Poor

Over: SOUTH TURKEY CREEK

.02 MI.S.JCT.SR1384, Buncombe, NC

Built 1978 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 360

SR3556

Poor

Over: FRENCH BROAD RIVER

.4 MI.E.JCT.I240, Buncombe, NC

Built 1951 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 13,000

US64,70

Poor

Over: SOUTHERN RR

.6 MI.W.JCT.US64BUS, Burke, NC

Built 1955 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 20,000

SR1703

Poor

Over: UT TO KINGS CREEK

150 FT.S.JCT.NC18, Caldwell, NC

Built 1959 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 100

SR1624

Poor

Over: VALLEY RIVER

125 FT.S.JCT.US19,74,129, Cherokee, NC

Built 1970 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 300

SR1308

Poor

Over: BRUSHY CREEK

0.1 MI. W. JCT. SR1306, Cleveland, NC

Built 1974 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 1,600

SR1337

Poor

Over: UT TO FIRST BROAD RIVER

0.3 MI. E. JCT. SR1005, Cleveland, NC

Built 1971 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 2,400

SR1514

Poor

Over: CROOKED RUN CREEK

0.7 MI. W. JCT. SR1004, Cleveland, NC

Built 1971 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 140

SR1824

Poor

Over: SHOAL ROCK CREEK

0.4 MI. N. JCT. SR1005, Cleveland, NC

Built 1957 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 240

US76

Poor

Over: GAPWAY SWAMP

0.3 MI.E.JCT.SR1355, Columbus, NC

Built 1927 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 1,000

I85N.BUS,US29,US70

Poor

Over: WSSB RAILROAD

0.5 MI. S. JCT. NC8, Davidson, NC

Built 1950 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 10,000

SR1731

Poor

Over: CROOKED CREEK

1.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1736, Franklin, NC

Built 1971 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 670

SR2254

Poor

Over: SOUTHERN RAILROAD

0.21 MI. W. JCT. US220, Guilford, NC

Built 1968 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 52,000

SR1332

Poor

Over: BIG CREEK

.6 MI.N.JCT.SR1397, Haywood, NC

Built 1935 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 300

SR1332

Poor

Over: BIG CREEK

.5 MI.N.JCT.SR1397, Haywood, NC

Built 1930 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 1,600

SR1856

Poor

Over: DUTCH COVE CREEK

.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1854, Haywood, NC

Built 1963 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 270

SR1004

Poor

Over: CATAWBA RIVER

1.5 MI. S. SR1332, Iredell, NC

Built 1961 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 2,900

SR1777

Poor

Over: SOUTH FORK HOPPERS CREEK

0.2 MI.W.JCT.NC226, McDowell, NC

Built 1972 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 400

NC24W

Poor

Over: NORTHEAST CREEK

0.3 MI.E. OF SR1421, Onslow, NC

Built 1942 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 21,250

US70

Poor

Over: ENO RIVER

0.5 MI. E. JCT. SR1239, Orange, NC

Built 1922 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 11,000

SR1138

Poor

Over: PANTHER CREEK

.7 MI.S.JCT.SR1156, Polk, NC

Built 1961 Load: 29.0 t ADT: 1,700

Showing 18,451-18,500 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.

Check Your Daily Bridges

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

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