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

SR1516

Fair

Over: BUFFALO CREEK

0.08 MI. E. JCT. SR1522, Rockingham, NC

Built 1974 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 420

US64

Fair

Over: MOUNTAIN CREEK

1.5 MI.E.JCT.SR1373, Rutherford, NC

Built 1937 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 5,100

TRYON BAY CIRCLE

Fair

Over: CANE CREEK

.1 MI.W.JCT.US64, Rutherford, NC

Built 1978 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 20

SR1558

Fair

Over: CANE CREEK

.6 MI.E.JCT.US64, Rutherford, NC

Built 1965 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 180

SR1726

Fair

Over: FIRST BROAD RIVER

.2 MI.W.JCT.SR1725, Rutherford, NC

Built 1971 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 290

SR1144

Fair

Over: GRAYS CREEK

.45 MI.W.JCT.SR1141, Rutherford, NC

Built 1958 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 200

SR1111

Fair

Over: MILL CREEK

0.1 MI. W JCT SR1110, Sampson, NC

Built 1968 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 130

SR1152

Fair

Over: JOE'S CREEK

1.0 MI. W. JCT. SR1145, Scotland, NC

Built 1951 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 400

SR2038

Fair

Over: BULL CREEK

0.5 MI.S.JCT.SR2041, Surry, NC

Built 1962 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 850

SR1138

Fair

Over: ALARKA CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.SR1140, Swain, NC

Built 1959 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 70

SR1340

Fair

Over: DEEP CREEK

50 FT.W.JCT.SR1339, Swain, NC

Built 1966 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 200

SR1135

Fair

Over: N.FORK FRENCH BROAD RIVE

.02 MI.E.JCT.US64, Transylvania, NC

Built 1958 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 150

SR1116

Fair

Over: UT TO NICHOLSON CREEK

20 FT.N.JCT.SR1121, Transylvania, NC

Built 1966 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 2,600

NC200

Fair

Over: BEARSKIN CREEK

0.3 MI. S. JCT. SR1006, Union, NC

Built 1920 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 14,500

SR1649

Fair

Over: RICHARDSON CREEK

0.7 MI. S. JCT. SR1650, Union, NC

Built 1963 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 430

SR1710

Fair

Over: RICHARDSON CREEK

0.7 MI. S. JCT. SR1701, Union, NC

Built 1963 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 350

SR1006

Fair

Over: SALEM CREEK

0.4 MI.W.JCT.SR1726, Union, NC

Built 1953 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 950

SR1328

Fair

Over: EAST FORK TWELVE MILE CR

0.5 MI.E. JCT. SR1008, Union, NC

Built 1962 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 2,300

KINDLEY STREET

Fair

Over: NORFOLK SOUTHERN RR

.1 MI.W.JCT.SALISBURY ST., Wake, NC

Built 1977 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 200

SR1335

Fair

Over: MEAT CAMP CREEK

.1 MI.N.JCT.SR1338, Watauga, NC

Built 1978 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 1,700

SR1500

Fair

Over: STONY FORK CREEK

.35 MI.S.JCT SR1505, Watauga, NC

Built 1964 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 50

US117

Fair

Over: NAHUNTA SWAMP

0.8 MI S JCT SR 1542, Wayne, NC

Built 1925 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 3,200

SR1910

Fair

Over: UT TO ELKIN CREEK

.6 MI.E.JCT.SR1753, Wilkes, NC

Built 1976 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 310

SR1562

Fair

Over: BOWLIN CREEK

.3 MI.N.JCT.SR1564, Wilkes, NC

Built 1962 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 250

SR1570

Fair

Over: N.FORK REDDIES RIVER

.03 MI.E.JCT.SR1567, Wilkes, NC

Built 1976 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 370

SR1569

Fair

Over: DARNELL CREEK

.5 MI.N.JCT.SR1567, Wilkes, NC

Built 1961 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 60

STONE MTN.RD.

Fair

Over: STONE MOUNTAIN CREEK

2.6 MI.N.JCT.SR1737, Wilkes, NC

Built 1960 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 60

SR1132

Fair

Over: BALD CREEK

.04 MI.S.JCT.SR1202, Yancey, NC

Built 1959 Load: 22.6 t ADT: 100

NFSR 81C

Fair

Over: JOHN'S BRANCH

50' FROM JCT. NFSR 81, Graham, NC

Built 1958 Load: 22.7 t ADT: 20

NFSR 128

Fair

Over: PETTIFORD CREEK

NATIONAL FOREST ROAD, Jones, NC

Built 1938 Load: 23.0 t ADT: 50

NFSR 474

Fair

Over: DAVIDSON RIVER (COMPLEX)

75' SW US 276, Transylvania, NC

Built 1935 Load: 23.0 t ADT: 250

SB ALL AMERICAN EX

Fair

Over: REILLY ROAD

PU 828 899, Cumberland, NC

Built 1976 Load: 23.3 t ADT: 14,260

NB ALL AMERICAN EX

Fair

Over: REILLY ROAD

PU 828 899, Cumberland, NC

Built 1976 Load: 23.3 t ADT: 14,260

SR1409

Fair

Over: MUDDY FORK CREEK

0.4 MI. N. JCT. SR1415, Alexander, NC

Built 1974 Load: 23.5 t ADT: 2,300

SR1444

Fair

Over: CRIBS CREEK

0.4 MI. N. JCT. SR1450, Anson, NC

Built 1952 Load: 23.5 t ADT: 110

SR1592

Fair

Over: DOG CREEK

.5 MI.N.JCT.SR1589, Ashe, NC

Built 1975 Load: 23.5 t ADT: 200

SR1351

Fair

Over: WEST FORK LINVILLE RIVER

100 FT.E JCT.SR1349, Avery, NC

Built 1965 Load: 23.5 t ADT: 200

NC92

Fair

Over: UPPER GOOSE CREEK

0.8 MI.E. OF JCT.US264, Beaufort, NC

Built 1962 Load: 23.5 t ADT: 3,300

US17

Fair

Over: CHOWAN RIVER

2.6 MI. N. JCT. SR1501, Bertie, NC

Built 1999 Load: 23.5 t ADT: 9,600

US74A

Fair

Over: CANE CREEK

.03 MI.E.JCT.SR3136, Buncombe, NC

Built 1922 Load: 23.5 t ADT: 9,300

SR3150

Fair

Over: ROBINSON CREEK

.5 MI.E.JCT.SR3116, Buncombe, NC

Built 1977 Load: 23.5 t ADT: 3,800

SR3121

Fair

Over: ROBINSON CREEK

.05 MI S JCT SR3117, Buncombe, NC

Built 1973 Load: 23.5 t ADT: 2,000

SR1786

Fair

Over: HENRY FORK RIVER

.02 MI.N.JCT.SR1805, Burke, NC

Built 1962 Load: 23.5 t ADT: 1,900

US70

Fair

Over: MICOL CREEK

.05 MI.W.JCT.SR1589, Burke, NC

Built 1925 Load: 23.5 t ADT: 6,100

SR1578

Fair

Over: BLUE CREEK

200 FT.S.JCT.SR1550, Caldwell, NC

Built 1958 Load: 23.5 t ADT: 250

NC12

Fair

Over: THOROFARE BAY CHANNEL

3.2 MI.N. OF JCT.US70, Carteret, NC

Built 1995 Load: 23.5 t ADT: 800

SR1810

Fair

Over: MAIDEN CREEK

0.1 MI. S. JCT. SR1879, Catawba, NC

Built 1974 Load: 23.5 t ADT: 4,900

SR1338

Fair

Over: HANGING DOG CREEK

.65 MI.N.JCT.SR1331, Cherokee, NC

Built 1969 Load: 23.5 t ADT: 280

SR2246

Fair

Over: BEASON CREEK

0.7 MI. S. JCT. SR2243, Cleveland, NC

Built 1967 Load: 23.5 t ADT: 510

SR2238

Fair

Over: BEASONS CREEK

0.5 MI. S. JCT. SR2240, Cleveland, NC

Built 1955 Load: 23.5 t ADT: 2,200

Showing 4,301-4,350 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.