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

SR2931

Poor

Over: LEAK CREEK

0.5 MI.S.JCT.SR2983, Forsyth, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,200

US401

Poor

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

1.2MI.N.JCT.SR1401, Franklin, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,900

NC98

Poor

Over: CROOKED CREEK

0.4 MI. E. JCT SR1001, Franklin, NC

Built 1962 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 7,000

I85

Poor

Over: ABERNATHY CREEK

0.4 MI. N. JCT. US29/US74, Gaston, NC

Built 1962 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 80,000

US276

Poor

Over: CRAWFORD CREEK

50 FT.S.JCT.SR1100, Haywood, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,000

SR1130

Poor

Over: CRAB CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1127, Henderson, NC

Built 1956 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 800

SR1596

Poor

Over: ROCKY CREEK

0.2 MI. W. JCT. NC115, Iredell, NC

Built 1957 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 340

SR1300

Poor

Over: SAVANNAH CREEK

.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1301, Jackson, NC

Built 1978 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 610

SR1738

Poor

Over: CANEY FORK

.25 MI.N.JCT.SR1737, Jackson, NC

Built 1961 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 40

NC55

Poor

Over: TROTTERS CREEK

0.9MI W JCT SR1152&NC55, Lenoir, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,800

SR1578

Poor

Over: BRIERY RUN

1.4 MI N JCT NC58, Lenoir, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,800

US64BUS

Poor

Over: TAR RIVER OVERFLOW

0.3 MI.E. OF 95BUS/US301, Nash, NC

Built 1950 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 13,000

NC304

Poor

Over: CHAPEL CREEK

3.6 MI.N. OF JCT.NC55, Pamlico, NC

Built 1954 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,500

NC210

Poor

Over: RILEYS CREEK

0.45 MI W JCT SR1407, Pender, NC

Built 1956 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 4,000

SR1749

Poor

Over: SANDY RUN CREEK

.4 MI.S.JCT.SR1769, Rutherford, NC

Built 1955 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 400

US421

Poor

Over: GREAT COHARIE SWAMP

0.6 MI.N.JCT.SR1842, Sampson, NC

Built 1920 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 6,700

SR1791

Poor

Over: ARCHIES CREEK

.4 MI.W.JCT.SR1794, Surry, NC

Built 1979 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 60

US64

Poor

Over: GASH CREEK

.2 MI.W.JCT.SR1502, Transylvania, NC

Built 1952 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 8,600

SR1134

Poor

Over: DUTCH CREEK

25 FT.N.JCT.SR1158, Watauga, NC

Built 1979 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 500

SR1008

Poor

Over: NEUSE RIVER

0.8 MI E. OF JCT SR1223, Wayne, NC

Built 1985 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 3,400

US601

Poor

Over: NORTH DEEP CREEK

0.3 MI.N.JCT.SR1374, Yadkin, NC

Built 1960 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 5,900

SR1153

Poor

Over: AYLES CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.NC80, Yancey, NC

Built 1970 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 1,000

SR1418

Poor

Over: BIG CREEK

0.01 MI.W.JCT.US19W, Yancey, NC

Built 2018 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 20

NC197

Poor

Over: MINE FORK CREEK

.01 MI.N.JCT.SR1330, Yancey, NC

Built 1947 Load: 32.6 t ADT: 2,200

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Poor

Over: U.S. ROUTE 421

15.0 MILES FROM NC ROUTE, Watauga, NC

Built 2001 Load: 32.7 t ADT: 2,300

NC194

Poor

Over: HELTON CREEK

75 FT.N.JCT.SR1669, Ashe, NC

Built 1981 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 800

I-40 EBL

Poor

Over: SILVER CREEK

.3 MI.E.JCT.SR1142 RAMP, Burke, NC

Built 1956 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 20,750

SR1927

Poor

Over: ABINGDON CREEK

.1 MI.N.JCT.US64,NC18, Caldwell, NC

Built 1952 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 300

SR1477

Poor

Over: REEDY CREEK

0.5 MI. N. JCT. SR1468, Davidson, NC

Built 1990 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 390

I85N.BUS,US29,70

Poor

Over: SOUTHERN RAILWAY

0.5 MI. N. JCT. SR1770, Davidson, NC

Built 1950 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 11,000

I85S.BUS,US29,US70

Poor

Over: SOUTHERN RAILWAY

0.5 MI. N. JCT. SR1770, Davidson, NC

Built 1950 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 11,000

NC 97

Poor

Over: TAR RIVER

0.4 MI. E. JCT. NC 43, Edgecombe, NC

Built 1964 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 5,400

I40 EBL

Poor

Over: BUFFALO SHOALS CREEK

0.3 MI. W. JCT. SR1505, Iredell, NC

Built 1957 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 17,750

I40 WBL

Poor

Over: BUFFALO SHOALS CREEK

0.3 MI. W. JCT. SR1505, Iredell, NC

Built 1955 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 17,750

SR1120

Poor

Over: CEDAR CREEK

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

Built 1961 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 800

SR1500

Poor

Over: WATAUGA CREEK

0.9 MI.E.JCT.SR1501, Macon, NC

Built 1956 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 740

NC49

Poor

Over: SOUTHERN RAILROAD

0.2 MI. S. JCT. I77, Mecklenburg, NC

Built 1956 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 27,500

SR1954

Poor

Over: LITTLE CREEK

0.3 MI.S.JCT.SR1956, Stanly, NC

Built 1959 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 420

US64

Poor

Over: ABANDONED SOUTHERN RR

.01 MI.W.JCT.SR1344, Transylvania, NC

Built 1966 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 15,500

SR1731

Poor

Over: WEST PRONG ROARING RIVER

100 FT.W.JCT.SR1730, Wilkes, NC

Built 1995 Load: 33.5 t ADT: 50

SR1394

Poor

Over: ROCKY RIVER

100 FT. E. JCT. SR1448, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1985 Load: 34.4 t ADT: 11,000

SR1110

Poor

Over: LITTLE CREEK

0.1MI.S.JCT.SR1107, Durham, NC

Built 1979 Load: 34.4 t ADT: 13,000

SR1202

Poor

Over: TULULA CREEK

.2 MI.N.JCT.US129, Graham, NC

Built 1960 Load: 34.4 t ADT: 180

SR1346

Poor

Over: STEVENS CREEK

.05 MI.S.JCT.SR1347, Haywood, NC

Built 1963 Load: 34.4 t ADT: 100

SR1395

Poor

Over: COVE CREEK

20 FT.E.JCT.SR1338, Haywood, NC

Built 1971 Load: 34.4 t ADT: 1,600

SR2318

Poor

Over: THIRD CREEK

1.0 MI. N. JCT. SR2358, Iredell, NC

Built 1959 Load: 34.4 t ADT: 1,500

I-77 SBL

Poor

Over: THIRD CREEK

1.5 MI. N. JCT. SR 2342, Iredell, NC

Built 1964 Load: 34.4 t ADT: 30,750

SR1500

Poor

Over: WATAUGA CREEK

.3 MI.W.JCT.US23,441, Macon, NC

Built 1975 Load: 34.4 t ADT: 740

NC86

Poor

Over: NEW HOPE CREEK

0.1 MI. S. JCT. SR1203, Orange, NC

Built 1951 Load: 34.4 t ADT: 5,900

SR2582

Poor

Over: HOGAN'S CREEK

1.0 MI. E. JCT. SR2571, Rockingham, NC

Built 1955 Load: 34.4 t ADT: 350

Showing 18,451-18,500 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.