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

US70E,NC50S

Fair

Over: CRABTREE CREEK

0.2 MI. W. JCT. US1, Wake, NC

Built 1931 Load: 21.7 t ADT: 36,250

SR2339

Fair

Over: MOCCASSIN CREEK

0.4 MI E. JCT. SR2338, Wake, NC

Built 1958 Load: 21.7 t ADT: 340

SR1145

Fair

Over: BEAVER CREEK

0.5 MI. S. JCT. SR1160, Wake, NC

Built 1983 Load: 21.7 t ADT: 800

SR1511

Fair

Over: REEDY CREEK

1.8 MI. S. OF JCT. SR1509, Warren, NC

Built 1970 Load: 21.7 t ADT: 100

SR1547

Fair

Over: HODGES CREEK

.2 MI.S.JCT.US321, Watauga, NC

Built 1976 Load: 21.7 t ADT: 4,300

SR1114

Fair

Over: WATAUGA RIVER

150 FT.W.JCT.SR1160, Watauga, NC

Built 1964 Load: 21.7 t ADT: 440

SR1725

Fair

Over: CANE CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1724, Wilkes, NC

Built 1959 Load: 21.7 t ADT: 150

SR1149

Fair

Over: MARSH SWAMP

0.1 MI. N. JCT. SR1142, Wilson, NC

Built 1948 Load: 21.7 t ADT: 1,000

SR1368

Fair

Over: SCL RAILROAD

0.2MI.N.JCT.SR1437, Wilson, NC

Built 1937 Load: 21.7 t ADT: 1,900

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Fair

Over: SOUTHERN RR

0.2 MILES TO U.S. ROUTE 2, Buncombe, NC

Built 1967 Load: 21.8 t ADT: 5,007

COPPERHEAD ROAD

Fair

Over: COPPERHEAD ROAD

COPPERHEAD ROAD, Swain, NC

Built 1955 Load: 21.8 t ADT: 10

CAMPGROUND ENTRANC

Fair

Over: OCONALUFTEE RIVER

AT ENTRANCE TO SMOKEMONT, Swain, NC

Built 1998 Load: 21.8 t ADT: 1,714

TOW STRING ROAD

Fair

Over: OCONALUFTEE RIVER

0.1 MILES TO NEWFOUND GAP, Swain, NC

Built 2005 Load: 21.8 t ADT: 240

NFSR 803

Fair

Over: DAVIDSON RIVER

200' S. JCT. US 276, Transylvania, NC

Built 1965 Load: 22.0 t ADT: 300

IRR BIA RTE 449

Fair

Over: SOCO CREEK

5.0 KM E OF CHEROKEE NC, Jackson, NC

Built 1979 Load: 22.3 t ADT: 450

NFSR 482

Fair

Over: CURTIS CREEK

PICNIC AREA 1.4 MI N.482A, Yancey, NC

Built 1978 Load: 22.4 t ADT: 25

US21

Fair

Over: LITTLE RIVER

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1171, Alleghany, NC

Built 1920 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 7,400

SR1175

Fair

Over: MEADOW FORK CREEK

200 FT.S.JCT.SR1145, Alleghany, NC

Built 1985 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 50

SR1652

Fair

Over: GOULDS FORK CREEK

0.6 MI. E. JCT. SR1641, Anson, NC

Built 1956 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 100

SR1105

Fair

Over: SOUTH FORK NEW RIVER

25 FT.N.JCT.SR1103, Ashe, NC

Built 1964 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 540

SR1176

Fair

Over: UT TO SOUTH FORK NEW RVR

.5 MI.W.JCT.SR1179, Ashe, NC

Built 1967 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 180

SR1349

Fair

Over: W.FORK LINVILLE RIVER

.6 MI.N.JCT.SR1365, Avery, NC

Built 2013 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 200

SR1514

Fair

Over: WILSON CREEK

2.2 MI.E.JCT.US221, Avery, NC

Built 1935 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 190

SR1529

Fair

Over: FORK SWAMP

1.2 MI W JCT SR1528, Beaufort, NC

Built 1974 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 180

SR1246

Fair

Over: EASON SWAMP

1.75 MI.N.JCT.SR1228, Bertie, NC

Built 1977 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 100

SR1393

Fair

Over: SANDYMUSH CREEK

.02 MI.S.JCT.SR1394, Buncombe, NC

Built 1968 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 200

SR1153

Fair

Over: N,S RAILROAD

.1 MI.S.JCT.US19, Buncombe, NC

Built 1916 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 100

SR1390

Fair

Over: SANDYMUSH CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1392, Buncombe, NC

Built 1968 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 210

SCHOOL ROAD

Fair

Over: CANIS CREEK

.01MI.W.JCT.CLARENDON RD., Buncombe, NC

Built 1929 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 550

SR2797

Fair

Over: BROAD RIVER

.3 MI.S.JCT.NC9, Buncombe, NC

Built 1962 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 600

SR3071

Fair

Over: GASHES CREEK

.02 MI.S.JCT.US74, Buncombe, NC

Built 1955 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 370

MIMOSA STREET

Fair

Over: NORFOLK SOUTHERN R.R.

0.48 MI.N.JCT.NC114, Burke, NC

Built 1957 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 1,000

SR1310

Fair

Over: MULBERRY CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.NC90, Caldwell, NC

Built 1958 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 2,300

SR1505

Fair

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.SR1504, Caldwell, NC

Built 1963 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 250

SR1362

Fair

Over: ANTHONY CREEK

1.2 MI.NW.JCT.SR1361, Caldwell, NC

Built 1936 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 220

NC86

Fair

Over: MOON CREEK

0.6 MI. S. JCT. SR1300, Caswell, NC

Built 1957 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 7,800

SR1506

Fair

Over: TERRELL CREEK

0.7 MI. N. JCT. SR1557, Chatham, NC

Built 1968 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 500

SR2234

Fair

Over: VARNELL CREEK

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

Built 1921 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 200

NC18

Fair

Over: HICKORY CREEK

0.1 MI. N. JCT. SR2532, Cleveland, NC

Built 1929 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 7,400

SR1140

Fair

Over: FIRST BROAD RIVER

0.5 MI. N. JCT. SR1227, Cleveland, NC

Built 1962 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 400

SR1387

Fair

Over: HINTON CREEK

0.5 MI. W. JCT. SR1376, Cleveland, NC

Built 1961 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 120

SR1414

Fair

Over: GREENE BRANCH

0.8 MI.E. JCT.SR1415, Columbus, NC

Built 1960 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 790

SR1503

Fair

Over: PORTER SWAMP

0.7MI.N.JCT.SR1501, Columbus, NC

Built 1967 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 600

NC55

Fair

Over: CORE CREEK

0.1 MI. W. JCT.SR1480, Craven, NC

Built 1923 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 1,700

SR3346

Fair

Over: WINSTON SALEM S.B. RR

0.2 MI. S. JCT. SR3345, Davidson, NC

Built 1936 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 13,000

SR1002

Fair

Over: YADKIN RIVER

0.3 MI. W. JCT. SR2501, Davidson, NC

Built 1954 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 1,600

SR1600

Fair

Over: DUTCHMANS CREEK

0.3 MI. W. JCT. SR1636, Davie, NC

Built 1958 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 1,000

NC24BUS

Fair

Over: MARSH GROVE SWAMP

1.2 MI E JCT SR1376, Duplin, NC

Built 1925 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 4,200

SR1610

Fair

Over: PRONG CAMP CREEK

0.1 MI.S.JCT.SR1609, Durham, NC

Built 1991 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 2,100

SR1260

Fair

Over: TULULA CREEK

50' E.JCT.US129, Graham, NC

Built 1963 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 1,300

Showing 4,201-4,250 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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