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

CATALOOCHEE ENTRAN

Fair

Over: CATALOOCHEE CREEK

2.9 MILES FROM NPS ROUTE, Haywood, NC

Built 1969 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 50

STEVE WATTY ROAD

Fair

Over: BUNCHES CREEK

BUNCHES CREEK ROAD, Swain, NC

Built 1960 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 10

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Fair

Over: SIMS CREEK

3.5 MILES FROM U.S. ROUTE, Watauga, NC

Built 1957 Load: 20.0 t ADT: 2,397

NFSR 981

Fair

Over: GRAGG PRONG CREEK

4.1 MI. W. JCT FS 45, Avery, NC

Built 1952 Load: 20.1 t ADT: 25

NFSR 129

Fair

Over: BLACK SWAMP CREEK

NATIONAL FOREST ROAD, Jones, NC

Built 1974 Load: 20.4 t ADT: 50

IRR BIA RTE 467

Fair

Over: RAVEN FORK

14.7 KM N OF CHEROKEE NC, Swain, NC

Built 1978 Load: 20.5 t ADT: 365

SR1468

Fair

Over: LITTLE GLADE CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.BLUERIDGE PKW, Alleghany, NC

Built 1957 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 80

SR1195

Fair

Over: BEAVER CREEK

250 FT.W.JCT.SR1248, Ashe, NC

Built 1956 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 460

SR1525

Fair

Over: HELTON CREEK

25' S. JCT. NC194, Ashe, NC

Built 1966 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 70

SR1140

Fair

Over: SQUIRREL CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1138, Avery, NC

Built 1964 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 100

SR1334

Fair

Over: UPPER GOOSE CREEK

1.4 MI.S. OF JCT.SR1333, Beaufort, NC

Built 1975 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 280

SR1700

Fair

Over: INTERCEPTING CANAL

3.7 MI W. OF JCT SR1709, Beaufort, NC

Built 1962 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 910

NC197

Fair

Over: NORTH FORK IVY CREEK

.01 MI.S.JCT.SR1003, Buncombe, NC

Built 1950 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 3,400

SR2776

Fair

Over: ROCKY CREEK

.01 MI.W.JCT.SR2783, Buncombe, NC

Built 1960 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 1,800

SR1389

Fair

Over: NORTH TURKEY CREEK

.9 MI.W.JCT.NC63, Buncombe, NC

Built 1935 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 1,700

SR1394

Fair

Over: SANDYMUSH CREEK

.6 MI.W.JCT.SR1401, Buncombe, NC

Built 1968 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 210

SR2403

Fair

Over: GRASSY BRANCH

.15 MI.S.JCT.SR2402, Buncombe, NC

Built 1950 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 2,200

SR1220

Fair

Over: NEWFOUND CREEK

0.1MI.N.JCT.SR1004, Buncombe, NC

Built 1952 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 400

SR2702

Fair

Over: SWANNANOA RIVER

.35 MI.W.JCT.SR2707, Buncombe, NC

Built 1947 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 380

FAIRCREST RD.

Fair

Over: BEAVERDAM CREEK

0.1 MI.N.JCT.BEAVERDAM RD, Buncombe, NC

Built 1986 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 700

SR2229

Fair

Over: REEMS CREEK

0.01 MI.S.JCT.SR1003, Buncombe, NC

Built 1970 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 200

BLEACHERY BLVD.

Fair

Over: SWANNANOA RIVER

.01MI.S.JCT.SWANN.RIV.RD., Buncombe, NC

Built 2008 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 100

SR1628

Fair

Over: SOUTHERN RAILWAY

.05 MI.N.JCT.US64,70, Burke, NC

Built 1950 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 3,900

SR2408

Fair

Over: DUTCH BUFFALO CREEK

0.5 MI. E. JCT. SR2414, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1947 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 3,000

NC12 FERRY

Fair

Over: PAMLICO SOUND

CEDAR ISLAND FERRY, Carteret, NC

Built 1990 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 600

SR1156

Fair

Over: FULLERS CREEK

0.3 MI. N. JCT. SR1123, Caswell, NC

Built 1923 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 110

SR2021

Fair

Over: SOUTH FORK CATAWBA RIVER

0.6 MI. W. JCT. SR2022, Catawba, NC

Built 1957 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 1,100

SR2314

Fair

Over: LITTLE INDIAN CREEK

0.4 MI. W. JCT. SR1009, Chatham, NC

Built 1958 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 150

SR1564

Fair

Over: BRANCH OF ROBERSON CREEK

0.8 MI. E. JCT. US64, Chatham, NC

Built 1921 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 100

SR1331

Fair

Over: COPPER CREEK

.1 MI.W.JCT.SR1333, Cherokee, NC

Built 1976 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 100

SR1123

Fair

Over: N. FORK RAPIER MILL CREE

200 FT.S.JCT.SR1124, Cherokee, NC

Built 1977 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 650

SR1318

Fair

Over: CAMP CREEK

1.5 MI.E.JCT.SR1316, Cherokee, NC

Built 1950 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 180

SR1378

Fair

Over: HYATT CREEK

25 FT.N.JCT.SR1379, Cherokee, NC

Built 1955 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 200

SR1135

Fair

Over: BOWEN CREEK

0.4 MI. W. JCT. NC18, Cleveland, NC

Built 1966 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 20

SR1509

Fair

Over: FIRST BROAD RIVER

0.4 MI. S. JCT. SR1513, Cleveland, NC

Built 1963 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 290

SR1809

Fair

Over: FIRST BROAD RIVER

0.1 MI. E. JCT. SR1876, Cleveland, NC

Built 1964 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 1,200

SR2012

Fair

Over: LOCKS CREEK

0.2 MI.W.JCT.SR2010, Cumberland, NC

Built 1971 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 620

US158

Fair

Over: DUTCHMAN CREEK

0.3 MI. W. JCT. SR1410, Davie, NC

Built 1922 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 9,300

SR 1200

Fair

Over: TOWN CREEK

1.4 MI.N. OF NC 42, Edgecombe, NC

Built 1967 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 820

BRIDGEWATER DRIVE

Fair

Over: LAKE SPILLWAY

0.3MI.N.JCT.US158, Forsyth, NC

Built 1961 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 300

SR1609

Fair

Over: TAR RIVER

0.7 MI.W. OF SR1611, Franklin, NC

Built 1954 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 3,800

SR2014

Fair

Over: UT TO S FORK CATAWBA RIV

0.1 MI. N. JCT. SR2565, Gaston, NC

Built 1971 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 3,400

US321 NBL

Fair

Over: CROWDERS CREEK

0.1 MI. S. JCT. SR2416, Gaston, NC

Built 1931 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 4,800

SR1226

Fair

Over: STECOAH CREEK

.15 MI.S.JCT.SR1228, Graham, NC

Built 1968 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 450

NC56

Fair

Over: LEDGE CREEK

1.2 MI.E.I85, Granville, NC

Built 1967 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 8,800

SR3336

Fair

Over: CLIMAX CREEK

0.45 MI. S. JCT. SR3381, Guilford, NC

Built 1929 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 700

BESSEMER AVE.

Fair

Over: MUDDY CREEK

0.15MI.E.JCT.O'HENRY BLV, Guilford, NC

Built 1949 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 14,000

SR1002

Fair

Over: LITTLE FISHING CREEK

1.9 MI. E. JCT. SR1328, Halifax, NC

Built 1967 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 1,600

SR1217

Fair

Over: BIG BRANCH CREEK

0.4 MI. N. JCT. SR1209, Harnett, NC

Built 1961 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 220

SR1505

Fair

Over: BALD CREEK

.8 MI.N.JCT.SR1503, Haywood, NC

Built 1976 Load: 20.8 t ADT: 750

Showing 4,001-4,050 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.