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

SR1214

Fair

Over: COVE CREEK

.05 MI.S.JCT.SR1233, Watauga, NC

Built 1952 Load: 24.4 t ADT: 20

SR1508

Fair

Over: ELK CREEK

5.7 MI.S.JCT.SR1583, Watauga, NC

Built 1976 Load: 24.4 t ADT: 370

SR1356

Fair

Over: MEAT CAMP CREEK

50 FT.E.JCT.SR1331, Watauga, NC

Built 1965 Load: 24.4 t ADT: 40

US117ALT

Fair

Over: POPLAR BRANCH

100YD S JCT. US 117BYP, Wayne, NC

Built 1921 Load: 24.4 t ADT: 5,700

NC268

Fair

Over: YADKIN RIVER

0.1 MI.E.JCT.SR1135, Wilkes, NC

Built 1950 Load: 24.4 t ADT: 1,300

NC268

Fair

Over: ROARING RIVER

200 FT.W.JCT.SR1995, Wilkes, NC

Built 1938 Load: 24.4 t ADT: 6,900

SR2576

Fair

Over: BRIER CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.SR2325, Wilkes, NC

Built 1927 Load: 24.4 t ADT: 1,000

SR1562

Fair

Over: CLEAR BRANCH CREEK

1.4 MI.N.JCT.SR1563, Wilkes, NC

Built 1976 Load: 24.4 t ADT: 230

NC111,NC222

Fair

Over: TOISNOT SWAMP

.3 MI. W. JCT. SR1537, Wilson, NC

Built 1970 Load: 24.4 t ADT: 1,700

US264A, NC91

Fair

Over: WHITE OAK SWAMP

0.3 MI. E. SR1562, Wilson, NC

Built 1923 Load: 24.4 t ADT: 3,100

SR1102

Fair

Over: NORTH LITTLE HUNTING CRK

.7 MI.S.JCT.SR1129, Yadkin, NC

Built 1956 Load: 24.4 t ADT: 650

US21

Fair

Over: ARNOLD BRANCH

.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1347, Yadkin, NC

Built 1922 Load: 24.4 t ADT: 3,400

SR1526

Fair

Over: FALL CREEK

.6 MI.E.JCT.NC67, Yadkin, NC

Built 1972 Load: 24.4 t ADT: 350

SR1163

Fair

Over: STEELMAN CREEK

.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1162, Yadkin, NC

Built 2013 Load: 24.4 t ADT: 100

US19E

Fair

Over: CANE RIVER

.02 MI.N.JCT SR1115, Yancey, NC

Built 1984 Load: 24.4 t ADT: 16,500

SR1337

Fair

Over: JACKS CREEK

.01 MI.N.JCT.SR1336, Yancey, NC

Built 1978 Load: 24.4 t ADT: 200

CATALOOCHEE ENTRAN

Fair

Over: SHANTY BRANCH

0.4 MILES WEST OF NPS ROU, Haywood, NC

Built 1984 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 1

IRR BIA RTE 414

Fair

Over: BIG WITCH CREEK

5.7 KM NE OF CHEROKEE, NC, Jackson, NC

Built 1973 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 700

IRR BIA RTE 414

Fair

Over: BIG WITCH CREEK

6 KM NE OF CHEROKEE NC, Jackson, NC

Built 1973 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 700

IRR BIA RTE 414

Fair

Over: BIG WITCH CREEK

7.1 KM NE OF CHEROKEE NC, Jackson, NC

Built 1973 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 700

IRR BIA RTE 414

Fair

Over: BIG WITCH CREEK

7.8 KM NE OF CHEROKEE NC, Jackson, NC

Built 1973 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 700

NEWFOUND GAP ROAD

Fair

Over: MINGUS CREEK

14.5 MILES SOUTH OF NEWFO, Swain, NC

Built 1930 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 6,300

NEWFOUND GAP ROAD

Fair

Over: COLLINS CREEK

10.7 MILES SOUTH OF NEWFO, Swain, NC

Built 1930 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 6,300

SMOKEMONT CAMPGROU

Fair

Over: BRADLEY FORK

IN SMOKEMONT CAMPGROUND B, Swain, NC

Built 1959 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 1

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Fair

Over: MIDDLE FORK NEW RIVER

15.4 MILES FROM U.S. ROUT, Watauga, NC

Built 1955 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 2,300

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Fair

Over: GOSHEN CREEK

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

Built 1950 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 2,300

ACCESS RAMP TO U.S

Fair

Over: MIDDLE FORK NEW RIVER

ACCESS RAMP TO U.S. ROUTE, Watauga, NC

Built 1957 Load: 24.5 t ADT: 2,300

NFSR 420-1

Fair

Over: TELLICO RIVER

5 MI. FROM JCT. W/420, Cherokee, NC

Built 1992 Load: 24.9 t ADT: 50

NFSR 787

Fair

Over: LOOKING GLASS CREEK

.1 MI. FROM JCT. W/US 276, Transylvania, NC

Built 1992 Load: 25.3 t ADT: 50

SR1454

Fair

Over: LITTLE PINE CREEK

.3 MI.N.JCT.SR1455, Alleghany, NC

Built 1976 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 45

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Fair

Over: LITTLE GLADE CREEK

0.2 MILES FROM U.S. ROUTE, Alleghany, NC

Built 1936 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 1,347

SR1121

Fair

Over: NORTH FORK JONES CREEK

0.4 MI. W. JCT. SR1812, Anson, NC

Built 1984 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 150

SR1401

Fair

Over: LACEY BRANCH

0.3 MI. N. JCT. SR1404, Anson, NC

Built 1976 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 680

NC88

Fair

Over: NAKED CREEK

200 FT.NW.JCT.US221, Ashe, NC

Built 1922 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 7,500

SR1514

Fair

Over: LITTLE WILSON CREEK

1 MI.W.JCT.SR1515, Avery, NC

Built 1950 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 220

MOUNTAIN VISTA LN.

Fair

Over: ELK RIVER

0.1MI.W.JCT.NC184, Avery, NC

Built 2010 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 700

SR1112

Fair

Over: MERCERS MILL POND

0.4 MI.S.OF JCT.SR1114, Brunswick, NC

Built 1977 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 2,500

NC130

Fair

Over: SHALLOTTE RIVER

0.2MI.W.JCT.US17, Brunswick, NC

Built 1937 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 9,400

US17BUS

Fair

Over: LOCKWOODS FOLLY RIVER

0.2MI.S.JCT.SR1510, Brunswick, NC

Built 1925 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 3,500

SR3492

Fair

Over: AVERY CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.SR3486, Buncombe, NC

Built 1973 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 330

SR3446

Fair

Over: BEAVERDAM CREEK

0.04 MI.S.JCT.SR3449, Buncombe, NC

Built 1952 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 1,300

SR3147

Fair

Over: CANE CREEK

.3 MI.S.JCT.SR3136, Buncombe, NC

Built 1959 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 3,000

SR1003

Fair

Over: IVY CREEK

0.02 MI.S.JCT.NC197, Buncombe, NC

Built 1951 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 1,200

US74A

Fair

Over: ASHWORTH CREEK

.05 MI.W.JCT.SR2815, Buncombe, NC

Built 1922 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 5,200

SR1108

Fair

Over: SOUTH HOMINY CREEK

.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1103, Buncombe, NC

Built 1972 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 1,200

SR1708

Fair

Over: EAST PRONG HUNTING CREEK

.2 MI.E.JCT.NC18, Burke, NC

Built 1976 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 4,500

SR1571

Fair

Over: HUNTING CREEK

.3 MI.N.JCT.SR1443, Burke, NC

Built 1966 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 250

US29 SBL

Fair

Over: CODDLE CREEK

0.5 MI. N. JCT. SR1305, Cabarrus, NC

Built 1939 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 12,500

SR1425

Fair

Over: GREASY CREEK

.1 MI.N.JCT.US64,NC18BYP, Caldwell, NC

Built 1955 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 50

US321 SBL

Fair

Over: GUNPOWDER CREEK

.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1127, Caldwell, NC

Built 1954 Load: 25.4 t ADT: 15,500

Showing 4,601-4,650 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.