State profile · Below median Poor share

Virginia bridge safety

According to the Federal Highway Administration's 2024 National Bridge Inventory, condition ratings, load ratings, and Poor-condition shares for every public highway bridge in Virginia.

14,120
Public bridges
33.0%
Good condition
3.4%
Poor condition

Virginia holds 14,120 public highway bridges (#20 of 52 by inventory) with a 3.39% Poor share (#42 of 52 by Poor share).

That is 3.4% of the state's inventory, against an average of 7.5% across the 54 states and territories with Poor-rated bridges on file, which places it 11 of 54 ordered from the lowest Poor share upward. A bridge is rated Poor when its weakest applicable component scores 4 or below on the inspecting agency's 0-9 scale, so the category is a maintenance and funding signal rather than a closure order or a live crossing-safety verdict.

Inventory: FHWA NBI 2024 · last ETL August 2026

Total Bridges

14,120

Public highway bridges in Virginia

Good Condition

33.0%

4,660 bridges rated 7-9

-17.0pp vs 50% benchmark

Poor Condition

3.4%

478 bridges whose lowest applicable component is rated 0-4

-4.1pp vs national avg 7.5%

Virginia vs national bridge condition

Virginia - Good condition share 33.0%
National avg

Share of bridges rated 7-9 on the FHWA 0-9 scale (deck, superstructure, substructure all good).

Virginia - Poor-condition share 11.3%
National avg

Lower is better. Bar maxes at 30% (worst-state ceiling). National average sits at 7.5%.

Virginia in the national condition pattern

Each point is a state or territory in the FHWA NBI; the highlighted point is this profile.

Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Virginia has 14,120 bridges and a 3.4% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #11 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold. Scatter plot of 54 data points. 0%10%20%30%40% 0k20k40k60k Public bridges in inventory (thousands) Poor-condition share (%) VA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.39%AL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 3.35%AK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.89%AZ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.15%AR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.43%CA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 25.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.91%CO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.82%CT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.72%DE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.26%DC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.95%FL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.79%GA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.59%GU, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.77%HI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 1.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.53%ID, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.9%IL, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.35%IN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.22%IA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 19.16%KS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.26%KY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.37%LA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 12.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.48%ME, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.41%MD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.56%MA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.88%MI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 11.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 11.27%MN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 13.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.44%MS, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 16.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.03%MO, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 24.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 8.95%MT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.81%NE, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 15.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.9%NV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.14%NH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.51%NJ, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 6.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.01%NM, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.51%NY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 17.6k · Poor-condition share (%): 9.43%NC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 19.2k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.76%ND, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 4.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 10.98%OH, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 26.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.74%OK, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 22.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 7.7%OR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.61%PA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 23.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 12.58%PR, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 13.92%RI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0.8k · Poor-condition share (%): 15.2%SC, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 9.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.17%SD, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 5.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 16.36%TN, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 20.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 4.41%TX, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 56.7k · Poor-condition share (%): 1.23%UT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.91%VT, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 2.9k · Poor-condition share (%): 2.9%VI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 0k · Poor-condition share (%): 29.17%WA, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 8.5k · Poor-condition share (%): 5.45%WV, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 7.3k · Poor-condition share (%): 18.64%WI, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 14.4k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.52%WY, Public bridges in inventory (thousands): 3.1k · Poor-condition share (%): 6.51%
Inventory size and Poor-condition share are different measures: Virginia has 14,120 bridges and a 3.4% Poor-condition share in the 2024 NBI, rank #11 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The dashed comparisons mark the national average state rate and the midpoint of the plotted inventory range; neither is a live safety or closure threshold.

Virginia vs all states by public bridge inventory

Where this state's FHWA NBI public-highway bridge count sits among every state and territory on PlainBridges

14,120 20th of 54 higher than 34 of 54 states

States and territories, banded by public bridge inventory size

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more states. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source FHWA National Bridge Inventory · 2024

Read the rank neighborhood for Virginia

The highlighted point is Virginia: 14,120 bridges and 3.39% in Poor condition, rank #11 of 54 jurisdictions ordered from the lowest share upward. The five jurisdictions immediately above and below Virginia on that same Poor-share ordering:

  • Utah: 3,125 bridges · 2.91% Poor
  • Alabama: 16,205 bridges · 3.35% Poor
  • Virginia: 14,120 bridges · 3.39% Poor
  • Tennessee: 20,379 bridges · 4.41% Poor
  • Minnesota: 13,532 bridges · 4.44% Poor

The full national sortable table lives on the rankings page.

Material families in Virginia

Exclusive FHWA material families across all 14,120 bridges in this state; continuous variants fold into the parent family. Orthogonal to the Poor-share scatter above.

Who maintains Virginia’s inventory

State agency holds 86.3% of the 14,120 public highway bridges filed under Virginia in the 2024 NBI, the agency-of-record split for this state, not a condition verdict.

When Virginia’s bridges were built

Pre-1950 construction accounts for 17.0% of the 14,120 bridges with a recorded original year in Virginia. Era bands are orthogonal to the Poor-share ranking above.

Condition Distribution

Virginia33%63.6%GoodFairPoor
Bridge inventory deck-condition mix - Virginia (FHWA NBI)

Counties (131)

Accomack 31 Albemarle 262 Alexandria city 29 Alleghany 197 Amelia 58 Amherst 157 Appomattox 68 Arlington 183 Augusta 357 Bath 73 Bedford 204 Bland 122 Botetourt 202 Bristol city 34 Brunswick 152 Buchanan 283 Buckingham 72 Buena Vista city 18 Campbell 153 Caroline 107 Carroll 161 Charles City 22 Charlotte 97 Charlottesville city 24 Chesapeake city 187 Chesterfield 322 Clarke 38 Colonial Heights city 9 Covington city 8 Craig 60 Culpeper 99 Cumberland 39 Danville city 50 Dickenson 76 Dinwiddie 151 Emporia city 7 Essex 37 Fairfax 751 Fairfax city 7 Falls Church city 5 Fauquier 229 Floyd 115 Fluvanna 55 Franklin 174 Frederick 168 Fredericksburg city 18 Galax city 5 Giles 96 Gloucester 21 Goochland 87 Grayson 145 Greene 49 Greensville 92 Halifax 161 Hampton city 50 Hanover 161 Harrisonburg city 34 Henrico 352 Henry 135 Highland 53 Hopewell city 5 Isle of Wight 80 James City 60 King George 30 King William 32 King and Queen 32 Lancaster 9 Lee 153 Lexington city 8 Loudoun 442 Louisa 93 Lunenburg 88 Lynchburg city 80 Madison 80 Manassas Park city 3 Manassas city 13 Martinsville city 10 Mathews 5 Mecklenburg 160 Middlesex 10 Montgomery 196 Nelson 136 New Kent 60 Newport News city 60 Norfolk city 199 Northampton 12 Northumberland 16 Norton city 13 Nottoway 67 Orange 71 Page 96 Patrick 145 Petersburg city 41 Pittsylvania 267 Portsmouth city 50 Powhatan 34 Prince Edward 82 Prince George 132 Prince William 303 Pulaski 105 Radford city 2 Rappahannock 87 Richmond 23 Richmond city 125 Roanoke 204 Roanoke city 88 Rockbridge 255 Rockingham 288 Russell 136 Salem city 17 Scott 138 Shenandoah 213 Smyth 190 Southampton 145 Spotsylvania 102 Stafford 112 Staunton city 18 Suffolk city 132 Surry 31 Sussex 105 Tazewell 204 Virginia Beach city 119 Warren 81 Washington 186 Waynesboro city 19 Westmoreland 22 Williamsburg city 12 Winchester city 8 Wise 165 Wythe 181 York 122

Virginia 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 Virginia on the same metric.

UT

Utah

2.91% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$3,125

AL

Alabama

3.35% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$16,205
Selected

VA

Virginia

3.39% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$14,120

TN

Tennessee

4.41% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$20,379

MN

Minnesota

4.44% top marginal rate
Structure
Progressive
Burden @ $100K
$13,532

Bridges Needing Most Attention in Virginia

Six lowest-condition bridges in Virginia, ranked by the portal's composite display score. Inspection intervals are risk-based under current NBIS rules.

All Bridges in Virginia

I-81

Fair

Over: Branch of Slone Branch

3.09-Rte99; 1.28-Rte100, Pulaski, VA

Built 1965 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 45,109

SBL Rte I-81

Fair

Over: Branch of Claytor Lake

1.01-Rte660; 2.79-Mont Co, Pulaski, VA

Built 1965 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 22,420

I-81

Fair

Over: Branch of Claytor Lake

1.40-Rte660;02.40-Mont.Co, Pulaski, VA

Built 1965 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 20,204

BooneFurnaceRd/607

Fair

Over: Little Reed Island Crk

0.46-Rte608; 1.49-Rte752, Pulaski, VA

Built 1991 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 313

Lee Highway

Fair

Over: Covington River

1.11 Fr 622E &.05 To 622W, Rappahannock, VA

Built 1985 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 4,783

Lee Hwy EBL & WBL

Fair

Over: Battle Run

.23 Fr 522 N & .14 To 675, Rappahannock, VA

Built 1972 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 6,187

Lee Highway

Fair

Over: Rush River

1.48 Fr 627 & .43 To 626, Rappahannock, VA

Built 1971 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 6,187

Zachary Taylor Hwy

Fair

Over: Big Indian Run

.51 Fr 662 & .84 To 637, Rappahannock, VA

Built 1924 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 3,868

Zachary Taylor Hwy

Fair

Over: Hittles Mill Stream

.07 Fr 630 & .82 To 677, Rappahannock, VA

Built 1937 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 3,868

Main Street

Fair

Over: Thornton River

.00 Fr 211 & .05 To 600, Rappahannock, VA

Built 1938 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 1,132

CatawbaValleyDr311

Fair

Over: McAfee Run

.45 Rte 624; .20 Craig Co, Roanoke, VA

Built 1977 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 4,677

COLD SPRING RD

Fair

Over: LAUREL RUN

1.15 TO 789 - 0.45 TO 717, Shenandoah, VA

Built 1932 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 25

I-95 (NBL)

Fair

Over: STREAM

1.7M RTE1-2.6M RTE3, Spotsylvania, VA

Built 1964 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 57,302

NBL & SBL I-95

Fair

Over: HAZEL RUN

3.1M RTE1-1.2M RTE3, Spotsylvania, VA

Built 1964 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 119,937

EBL COURTHOUSE RD

Fair

Over: MASSAPONAX CREEK

2.3M RT1 & 23.2M LOUIS CL, Spotsylvania, VA

Built 1986 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 19,309

KINGS HIGHWAY

Fair

Over: CLAIBORNE RUN

7.6M KG.GEO.-0.4M RTE212, Stafford, VA

Built 1971 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 29,988

NBL & SBL I-95

Fair

Over: FALLS RUN

0.6M RTE17-6.4M RTE630, Stafford, VA

Built 1964 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 169,972

NBL RTE. I-95

Fair

Over: AUSTIN RUN

2.1M RTE630-1.1M RTE610, Stafford, VA

Built 1964 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 75,395

SBL RTE. I-95

Fair

Over: AUSTIN RUN

2.1M RTE630-1.1M RTE610, Stafford, VA

Built 1964 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 67,318

Hunting Quarter Rd

Fair

Over: Hunting Quarter Creek

.50 from 608/1.40 to 634, Sussex, VA

Built 1932 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 86

I-64 & F137

Fair

Over: Skimino Creek

0.00 Mi. To James City Co, James City, VA

Built 1956 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 70,510

H.G. SHIRLEY MEM H

Fair

Over: HOLMES RUN

00.63 236 / 01.87 7, Fairfax, VA

Built 1950 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 170,075

HRCP

Fair

Over: Billy Woods Canal

0.3 Mi Fr Big Bethel Road, Hampton city, VA

Built 1989 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 36,129

HRCP WBL Ramp 0A

Fair

Over: Billy Woods Canal

0.10 Mi Fr HRCP, York, VA

Built 1989 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 4,639

Park Avenue

Fair

Over: NS Railway

0000FORT AVE 0010BUCHANAN, Lynchburg city, VA

Built 1932 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 5,790

IS 664

Fair

Over: Chestnut Ave

0.25 Mi To SCL Hampton, York, VA

Built 1983 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 64,373

IS 64

Fair

Over: Lake Taylor

0.75 MI.FR.INT.RTE. 13, Norfolk city, VA

Built 1966 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 173,834

IS 64 EBL Off Ramp

Fair

Over: Trib Lafayette River

Tidewater Drive Inter., Norfolk city, VA

Built 1967 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 4,215

INTERSTATE-85

Fair

Over: ROHOIC CREEK

.04 Ptsbrg CL & 3.98 I-95, Dinwiddie, VA

Built 1959 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 51,555

I-85 SBL & RAMP-B

Fair

Over: STREAM

.03 Fr SQL & .04 To 85SB, Dinwiddie, VA

Built 1988 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 828

MAIN STREET

Fair

Over: GILLIES CREEK

.42 ECL RICHM .76 60, Richmond city, VA

Built 1976 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 15,907

John Randolf Blvd.

Fair

Over: Reedy Creek

.40-Ham.Bld./.50-Rt.304, Halifax, VA

Built 1938 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 11,418

I-664

Fair

Over: Streeter Creek

0.10 Mi Fr Route 135, Suffolk city, VA

Built 1990 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 69,870

I-664 Ramp

Fair

Over: Streeter Creek

0.25 Mi Fr Route 135, Suffolk city, VA

Built 1990 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 1,371

Dam Neck Road

Fair

Over: Drainage Canal

2.00GEN BT BL/.05ENT NAV, Virginia Beach city, VA

Built 1991 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 15,800

ELBOW ROAD

Fair

Over: DRAINAGE CANAL

0.50SALEM RD/0.70IND RIV, Virginia Beach city, VA

Built 1960 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 12,056

IS 264

Fair

Over: Trib E Br Elizabeth Rvr

1.00 Miles from Route 403, Virginia Beach city, VA

Built 1967 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 209,171

IS 264

Fair

Over: Trib Thalia Creek

1.20 Miles from Route 190, Virginia Beach city, VA

Built 1967 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 182,279

Va Beach Blvd

Fair

Over: Trib Wolfsnare Creek

0.32 Mile to Laskin Road, Virginia Beach city, VA

Built 1967 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 28,404

Great Neck Rd. SBL

Fair

Over: Broad Bay Rd & Long Cr.

0.11ADAM KEEL/0.68 TO 60, Virginia Beach city, VA

Built 1988 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 12,799

IS 664 & Ramps

Fair

Over: Branch Drum Point Creek

1.80 MI.FR.INT.RTE. 337, Chesapeake city, VA

Built 1991 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 81,354

ELTHAM ROAD

Fair

Over: BRANCH BEAVERDAM CREEK

0.20 fr 632 & 2.0 to 249, New Kent, VA

Built 1973 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 10,926

SR164 EBL

Fair

Over: US17

0.3 Mi Fr US17, Suffolk city, VA

Built 1991 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 12,229

INTERSTATE-295

Fair

Over: CABIN CREEK

3.31 Fr Chstfd &.14 To 36, Prince George, VA

Built 1991 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 23,007

INTERSTATE-295 WBL

Fair

Over: BULL HILL RUN

1.64-CHSFLD & 1.90-RT.36, Prince George, VA

Built 1991 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 16,901

WAGNER ROAD

Fair

Over: BRANCH BLACKWATER CREEK

1.76 FR 301 & .57 TO 460, Petersburg city, VA

Built 1989 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 11,925

INTERSTATE-295 SBL

Fair

Over: BRANDYWINE DRIVE

0.50 Fr 36 & 6.10 To 460, Prince George, VA

Built 1991 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 11,392

INTERSTATE-295

Fair

Over: BAILEYS CREEK

1.10 FR 36 & 5.50 TO 460, Prince George, VA

Built 1991 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 23,007

INTERSTATE-295

Fair

Over: SOUTHERLY RUN

1.90 FR 36 & 4.70 TO 460, Prince George, VA

Built 1988 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 23,007

ASHBURN VILL. BLVD

Fair

Over: BEAVERDAM RUN

03.00FR7/00.50TO640, Loudoun, VA

Built 1991 Load: 89.8 t ADT: 17,703

Showing 8,851-8,900 of 14,120 bridges

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.

What to do with this

Use Virginia's inventory picture to drill to a county or a specific span.

  • Browse counties in Virginia and open the highest-Poor shares first. County list
  • See where this state sits among peers on Poor-condition share. State rankings
  • Compare this state with another jurisdiction on the same measures. State compare

NBI condition ratings are inventory snapshots, not live crossing-safety verdicts.

Every figure on PlainBridges is rendered directly from federal source data, no number is typed in by an editor. Virginia Good/Fair/Poor shares and county rollups on this page are computed from the same NBI extract as the national boards; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2024 NBI release. NBI condition categories reflect the latest reported inventory record, not a live safety, closure, or travel decision.