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

SR1325

Poor

Over: BEANS CREEK

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

Built 1974 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 350

SR1558

Poor

Over: H.PT.,THOMASVILLE,DEN.RR

0.4 MI. W. JCT. SR1619, Randolph, NC

Built 1966 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 4,800

SR1856 SBL

Poor

Over: TOMS CREEK

.2 MI.S.JCT.US52, Surry, NC

Built 1932 Load: 37.1 t ADT: 3,800

NC73

Poor

Over: CODDLE CREEK

0.1 MI. W. JCT. SR1619, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1969 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 16,500

FIFTH AVE.

Poor

Over: BLACKWOOD CREEK

0.1 MI.E.JCT.LAKEVIEW ST., Gaston, NC

Built 1985 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 500

NC48

Poor

Over: ROANOKE RIVER

2.4 MI N. OF JCT US158, Halifax, NC

Built 1957 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 10,500

NC150

Poor

Over: UT TO S. FORK CATAWBA RV

0.5 MI. E. JCT. SR1222, Lincoln, NC

Built 1955 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 10,500

SR1349

Poor

Over: COWEE CREEK

0.1 MI.N.JCT.SR1341, Macon, NC

Built 1961 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 290

US64

Poor

Over: CULLASAJA RIVER

.05 MI.E.JCT.SR1524, Macon, NC

Built 1965 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 8,800

SR1517

Poor

Over: MID. FORK CALIFORNIA CRK

.03 MI.N.JCT.US19, Madison, NC

Built 1963 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 100

US70

Poor

Over: SOUTHERN RR

.05 MI.W.JCT.SR1826, McDowell, NC

Built 1959 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 6,500

SR2066

Poor

Over: SMITH RIVER

0.7 MI. E. JCT. NC87, Rockingham, NC

Built 1957 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 14,000

SAM SHERRILL ROAD

Poor

Over: SAM SHERRILL ROAD

DUGANS ROAD, Swain, NC

Built 1950 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 15

US401 N

Poor

Over: SOUTHERN RR, CREEK

0.35 MI N JCT SR1375, Wake, NC

Built 1965 Load: 38.1 t ADT: 16,250

NC11

Poor

Over: CASHIE RIVER

1.6 MI.N.JCT.NC308, Bertie, NC

Built 1971 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 6,000

SR1367

Poor

Over: THUNDERHOLE CREEK

200 FT.S.JCT.SR1366, Caldwell, NC

Built 1960 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 200

SR1649

Poor

Over: VALLEY RIVER

125 FT.W.JCT.US19BUS, Cherokee, NC

Built 1956 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 700

SR1560

Poor

Over: NORTH FORK CATAWBA RIVER

20 FT.E.JCT.SR1556, McDowell, NC

Built 1971 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 350

SR1171

Poor

Over: SNOW CREEK

.02 MI.N.JCT.SR1172, Mitchell, NC

Built 1969 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 550

SR1211

Poor

Over: CANE CREEK

.01 MI.W.JCT.SR1216, Mitchell, NC

Built 1971 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 1,000

SR1301

Poor

Over: BR. OF PERQUIMANS RI.

.02 MI. S. JCT. SR1300, Perquimans, NC

Built 1962 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 440

US29

Poor

Over: LITTLE TROUBLESOME CREEK

0.9 MI. S. JCT. NC87, Rockingham, NC

Built 1968 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 24,500

NC268

Poor

Over: BIG CREEK

200 FT. W. JCT. NC89, Stokes, NC

Built 1964 Load: 39.0 t ADT: 1,300

SR1118

Poor

Over: HOSKIN FORK CREEK

50 FT.S.JCT.NC88, Ashe, NC

Built 1993 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 370

US158, NC86

Poor

Over: COUNTRY LINE CREEK

1.2 MI. E. JCT. NC62, Caswell, NC

Built 1970 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 7,300

SR1314

Poor

Over: BRANCH OF BEAVERDAM CREE

0.5 MI. W. JCT. SR1321, Cleveland, NC

Built 1958 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 350

US64

Poor

Over: FRENCH BROAD RVR.OVERFLO

.8 MI.E.JCT.SR1324, Henderson, NC

Built 1955 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 14,000

NC89

Poor

Over: BEAVERDAM CREEK

.4 MI.W.JCT.SR1345, Surry, NC

Built 1936 Load: 39.9 t ADT: 5,400

US19,23 NBL

Poor

Over: REEMS CREEK

.3 MI.N.JCT.SR1720, Buncombe, NC

Built 1963 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 21,000

US19,23SBL

Poor

Over: REEMS CREEK

.3 MI.N.JCT.SR1720, Buncombe, NC

Built 1963 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 21,000

SR1831

Poor

Over: BALLS CREEK

0.6 MI. S. JCT. SR1004, Catawba, NC

Built 1980 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,000

SR1169

Poor

Over: EAGLE FORK CREEK

0.15 MI.E.JCT.SR1172, Clay, NC

Built 1966 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 410

NC41

Poor

Over: DOCTORS CREEK

0.4MI.W JCT.SR1128, Duplin, NC

Built 1970 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 2,400

SR1700

Poor

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

0.8 MI W. JCT SR1720, Johnston, NC

Built 1977 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 1,100

SR1154

Poor

Over: GOOSE CREEK

.01 MI.S.JCT.SR1153, McDowell, NC

Built 1977 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 230

SR2258

Poor

Over: CREEK

0.15 MI. N. JCT. US220, Rockingham, NC

Built 1957 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 100

NC58

Poor

Over: BRANCH OF TOISNOT SWAMP

0.5 MI. N. JCT. SR 1626, Wilson, NC

Built 1957 Load: 40.8 t ADT: 6,100

I85NBL,US15N

Poor

Over: NEUSE RIVER/FALLS LAKE

4.0 MI.S.JCT.NC56, Durham, NC

Built 1969 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 25,750

I85S,US15S

Poor

Over: NEUSE RIVER/FALLS LAKE

4.0 MI S JCT NC56, Durham, NC

Built 1969 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 21,250

I40 BUS

Poor

Over: SALEM CREEK

0.3 MI.W.JCT.SR2657, Forsyth, NC

Built 1953 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 48,000

SR1382

Poor

Over: SCOTT CREEK

10' W.JCT.US23BUS., Jackson, NC

Built 1971 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 280

SR1198

Poor

Over: HAYES RUN

.2 MI.N.JCT.US25,70BUS., Madison, NC

Built 1959 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 850

I40,US117,NC132

Poor

Over: SMITH CREEK

0.1 MI.E. OF JCT.SR2048, New Hanover, NC

Built 1985 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 51,000

GORMAN STREET

Poor

Over: NORFOLK SOUTHERN RR & CS

0.1MI.S.JCT.HILLSBOROUGH, Wake, NC

Built 1987 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 14,000

NC268

Poor

Over: WARRIOR CREEK

0.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1114, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 3,100

SR1334

Poor

Over: CRANBERRY CREEK

.5 MI.E.JCT.SR1335, Yadkin, NC

Built 1940 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 690

SR1510

Poor

Over: FALL CREEK

.2 MI.S.JCT.SR1527, Yadkin, NC

Built 1983 Load: 41.7 t ADT: 300

SR1100

Poor

Over: THREE TOP CREEK

1 MI.N.JCT.SR1125, Ashe, NC

Built 1978 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 500

NC45, NC308

Poor

Over: ROANOKE;MIDDLE;CASHIE RI

1.5 MI.S. OF JCT.NC308, Bertie, NC

Built 1968 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 4,000

SR1505

Poor

Over: JUNALUSKA CREEK

1.8 MI.E.JCT.SR1502, Cherokee, NC

Built 1950 Load: 42.6 t ADT: 650

Showing 18,651-18,700 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.

Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

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