Bridge Safety in North Carolina
19,343 bridges — 1,382 Poor condition — avg age 39 years.
Bridge Inventory
| Total Bridges | 19,343 |
| Good Condition | 8,800 |
| Fair Condition | 9,161 |
| Poor Condition | 1,382 |
| Oldest Bridge | Built 1900 |
| Average Age | 39 years |
Condition Summary
| % Good | 45.5% |
| % Fair | 47.4% |
| % Poor | 7.1% |
Highest-Traffic Poor Condition Bridges in North Carolina
Poor condition bridges sorted by daily traffic — the most urgent safety concerns.
| Bridge | Condition | Year Built | ADT | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US29/NC49 (GRAHAM ST.) | Poor | 1971 | 127,000 | — |
| BREVARD STREET | Poor | 1967 | 96,000 | — |
| US311 | Poor | 1963 | 90,000 | — |
| NORTH COLLEGE STREET | Poor | 1967 | 84,000 | — |
| ABERNATHY CREEK | Poor | 1962 | 81,000 | — |
| BRUSHY FORK CREEK | Poor | 1958 | 74,500 | — |
| 28TH STREET | Poor | 1964 | 70,000 | — |
| LITTLE CREEK | Poor | 1960 | 58,500 | — |
| LITTLE CREEK | Poor | 1950 | 55,000 | — |
| US421 | Poor | 1959 | 53,500 | — |
| SR1308 | Poor | 1956 | 51,000 | — |
| I-240 OFF RAMPS | Poor | 1968 | 48,000 | — |
| SEABOARD RR | Poor | 1941 | 45,500 | — |
| YANCEYVILLE STREET | Poor | 1968 | 43,500 | — |
| I77 US21 | Poor | 1970 | 41,500 | — |
| SR1527 | Poor | 1969 | 39,000 | — |
| SALEM CREEK | Poor | 1953 | 38,500 | — |
| 25TH STREET | Poor | 1964 | 35,000 | — |
| FIDDLERS CREEK | Poor | 1981 | 33,500 | — |
| US76 | Poor | 1968 | 33,000 | — |
Oldest Bridges in North Carolina
| Bridge | Condition | Year Built | Age | ADT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UT TO PIGEON RIVER | Fair | 1900 | 126 yrs | 1,000 |
| CASWELL BRANCH | Fair | 1909 | 117 yrs | 200 |
| IRISH BUFFALO CREEK | Fair | 1910 | 116 yrs | 10,500 |
| PLOTT CREEK | Fair | 1910 | 116 yrs | 3,600 |
| S. PRONG TERRYS CREEK | Poor | 1910 | 116 yrs | 1,400 |
| THREE MILE BRANCH | Fair | 1911 | 115 yrs | 1,200 |
| S.C.L. RR | Poor | 1911 | 115 yrs | 400 |
| CAMP CREEK | Fair | 1915 | 111 yrs | 60 |
| N S RAILROAD | Fair | 1916 | 110 yrs | 100 |
| BLACK RIVER OVERFLOW | Good | 1918 | 108 yrs | 2,500 |
Bridge Safety in North Carolina
Bridge condition data for North Carolina comes from the FHWA National Bridge Inventory. All publicly accessible bridges with a span over 20 feet are inspected at least every 24 months by certified bridge inspectors.