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

SR1519

Fair

Over: MARTIN CREEK

0.7 MI. N. JCT. SR1541, Vance, NC

Built 1951 Load: 14.5 t ADT: 3,000

SR1139

Fair

Over: BEECH CREEK

20 FT.E.JCT.AVERY CO.LINE, Watauga, NC

Built 1967 Load: 14.5 t ADT: 50

SR1311

Fair

Over: VANDERPOOL CREEK

50 FT.S.JCT.SR1312, Watauga, NC

Built 1961 Load: 14.5 t ADT: 350

SR1134

Fair

Over: DUTCH CREEK

1.4 MI.S.JCT.SR1158, Watauga, NC

Built 1966 Load: 14.5 t ADT: 580

SR1324

Fair

Over: NAHUNTA SWAMP

0.4 MI N JCT SR1336, Wayne, NC

Built 1960 Load: 14.5 t ADT: 300

SR2021

Fair

Over: LITTLE ELKIN CREEK

.4 MI.E.JCT.SR2020, Wilkes, NC

Built 1956 Load: 14.5 t ADT: 1,100

SR1943

Fair

Over: LITTLE SANDY CREEK

.5 MI.E.JCT.SR1944, Wilkes, NC

Built 1958 Load: 14.5 t ADT: 190

SR1154

Fair

Over: LITTLE SWAMP

0.8 MI. S. JCT. NC42, Wilson, NC

Built 1957 Load: 14.5 t ADT: 1,400

SR1562

Fair

Over: UT TO YADKIN RIVER

.6 MI.N.JCT.SR1563, Yadkin, NC

Built 1962 Load: 14.5 t ADT: 250

NFSR 223

Fair

Over: SPRING CREEK

.2 MI. FROM JCT. SR 209, Madison, NC

Built 1983 Load: 14.9 t ADT: 50

NFSR 482

Fair

Over: CURTIS CREEK

1.9 MI. N. JCT. FS 482A, Yancey, NC

Built 1978 Load: 14.9 t ADT: 20

NFSR 982

Fair

Over: UPPER CREEK

1.3 MI. E. JCT. NC 181, Burke, NC

Built 1941 Load: 15.2 t ADT: 15

NFSR 2074

Fair

Over: NEALS CR.

1.7 MI. N. JCT. W/PKWY., Yancey, NC

Built 1953 Load: 15.2 t ADT: 20

SR1145

Fair

Over: MEADOW FORK CREEK

.3 MI.W.JCT.SR1143, Alleghany, NC

Built 1958 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 100

SR1523

Fair

Over: BEAVERDAM SWAMP

1.8 MI S JCT SR 1520, Beaufort, NC

Built 1972 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 520

SR1339

Fair

Over: ALLIGATOR SWAMP

0.2 MI.W.JCT. SR1335, Brunswick, NC

Built 1962 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 290

SR1717

Fair

Over: FLAT CREEK

1.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1741, Buncombe, NC

Built 1966 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 60

SR3464

Fair

Over: GLADY FORK CREEK

0.1 MI.S.JCT.SR3452, Buncombe, NC

Built 1969 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 450

SR2783

Fair

Over: ROCKY CREEK

.45 MI.N.JCT.SR2776, Buncombe, NC

Built 1961 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 100

SR2820

Fair

Over: GARREN CREEK

.25 MI.N.JCT.SR2806, Buncombe, NC

Built 1973 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 150

SR3460

Fair

Over: SOUTH HOMINY CREEK

0.2 MI.E.JCT.NC151, Buncombe, NC

Built 1976 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 790

SR1169

Fair

Over: MCKEES CREEK

0.4 MI. E. JCT. SR1168, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1961 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 670

NC90

Fair

Over: WILSON CREEK

1 MI.W.JCT.SR1328, Caldwell, NC

Built 1936 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 50

SR1356

Fair

Over: JOHNS RIVER

.4 MI.N.JCT.NC90, Caldwell, NC

Built 1975 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 100

SR1391

Fair

Over: HARLOWE CANAL

0.2 MI. E. JCT. NC101, Carteret, NC

Built 1950 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 100

SR1409

Fair

Over: VALLEY RIVER

.01 MI.W.JCT.SR1393, Cherokee, NC

Built 1967 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 20

SR1300

Fair

Over: CARVER CREEK

.65 MI.W.JCT.SR1319, Clay, NC

Built 1973 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 490

SR1002

Fair

Over: WESTERN PRONG SWAMP

0.3MI.S.JCT.SR1537, Columbus, NC

Built 1949 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 2,400

SR1716

Fair

Over: WADE CANAL

.7 MI.N. OF JCT.SR1719, Cumberland, NC

Built 1973 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 150

SR1120

Fair

Over: BYNUM MILL CREEK

1.1MI.N.JCT.NC124, Edgecombe, NC

Built 1957 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 1,100

SR1108

Fair

Over: OTTER CREEK

150 FT. S. JCT. SR1113, Edgecombe, NC

Built 1958 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 390

SR1003

Fair

Over: DEEP CREEK

1.1 MI. W. JCT. NC125, Halifax, NC

Built 1966 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 800

SR1627

Fair

Over: QUANKEY CREEK

1.3 MI N JCT.NC903, Halifax, NC

Built 1960 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 2,400

SR1122

Fair

Over: BR. OF MILL CREEK

0.2 MI.E. OF JCT.SR1124, Johnston, NC

Built 1960 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 150

SR1636

Fair

Over: TESSENETEE CREEK

.3 MI.E.JCT.SR1643, Macon, NC

Built 1963 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 880

SR1455

Fair

Over: LITTLE TENNESSEE RIVER

25 FT.S.JCT.NC28, Macon, NC

Built 1981 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 30

SR1626

Fair

Over: UT TO WATKINS CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.SR1627, Macon, NC

Built 1955 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 100

SR1340

Fair

Over: BIG LAUREL CREEK

.01 MI.S.JCT.SR1318, Madison, NC

Built 1959 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 20

SR1825

Fair

Over: LITTLE CRANE CREEK

0.2 MI. E. JCT. US1, Moore, NC

Built 1951 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 950

SR1209

Fair

Over: LITTLE RIVER

0.8 MI. S. JCT. SR1224, Moore, NC

Built 1967 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 1,100

SR1516

Fair

Over: LANE SWAMP

1.4 MI E. OF JCT SR1510, Nash, NC

Built 1951 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 1,700

SR1915

Fair

Over: SAPONY CREEK

1.8 MI.W. OF JCT.SR1306, Nash, NC

Built 1959 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 850

SR1715

Fair

Over: ROCK FORK BRANCH

0.7 MI. W. JCT. SR1733, Person, NC

Built 1951 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 1,500

SR1607

Fair

Over: CRAWFORD BRANCH

0.1 MI. N. JCT. SR1610, Richmond, NC

Built 1950 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 170

SR2435

Fair

Over: AARON SWAMP

0.4 MI. W. JCT SR2455, Robeson, NC

Built 1954 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 550

SR1773

Fair

Over: UT TO W. FORK SANDY RUN

.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1774, Rutherford, NC

Built 1962 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 410

SR2171

Fair

Over: UT TO LONG BRANCH

0.3 MI.W.JCT.SR2169, Rutherford, NC

Built 1962 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 700

SR1605

Fair

Over: WILLIAMSON SWAMP

0.1 MI E SR1602, Sampson, NC

Built 1969 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 550

SR1647

Fair

Over: GREAT COHARIE CREEK

0.5 MI. S. JCT. NC55, Sampson, NC

Built 1950 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 150

SR1253

Fair

Over: MULATTO BRANCH

0.4 MI. N. JCT. NC242, Sampson, NC

Built 1971 Load: 15.4 t ADT: 100

Showing 3,501-3,550 of 18,901 bridges

Related

All states → | National rankings → | Understanding conditions → | SD bridges explained →
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.