Worst Bridges in North Carolina

Bridges with the lowest condition ratings in North Carolina. North Carolina has 1,298 bridges in poor condition (6.8% of 19,210 total bridges).

19,210

Total Bridges

6.8%

In Poor Condition

1,298

Poor Bridges

1,298

Rating 0-4

Understanding Bridge Conditions in North Carolina

North Carolina's bridge infrastructure reflects decades of construction, maintenance, and replacement decisions influenced by geography, climate, traffic patterns, and available funding. With 1,298 bridges currently rated in poor condition (6.8% of the total inventory), understanding what these ratings mean helps residents and policymakers make informed decisions about infrastructure investment.

Federal inspectors evaluate three key components on every highway bridge: the deck (the driving surface and its immediate supports), the superstructure (beams, girders, trusses, or other primary load-carrying members), and the substructure (piers, abutments, and foundations that transfer loads to the ground). Each component receives a rating from 0 to 9, with the lowest of these three ratings determining the overall condition category. A rating of 4 or below classifies a bridge as “poor,” indicating significant structural deterioration that warrants prioritized attention.

Poor-rated bridges remain safe for use at their posted limits because federal law requires that any bridge with load-carrying deficiencies be either repaired, posted with weight restrictions, or closed. Many poor-rated bridges receive more frequent inspections than the standard 24-month cycle, allowing engineers to monitor deterioration rates and ensure conditions have not worsened beyond safe operating limits. Weight restrictions protect the structure while allowing continued service until rehabilitation or replacement can be funded and constructed.

Infrastructure investment decisions involve difficult trade-offs between maintaining aging structures and building new capacity. Bridges listed below represent the most deteriorated structures in North Carolina's inventory, where rehabilitation or replacement investment would have the greatest impact on improving overall infrastructure condition. Understanding where these bridges are located helps communities advocate for appropriate funding and plan alternative routes when load restrictions affect commercial traffic.

Condition Rating Scale

0-2

Failed to Critical

Closed or severely restricted. Major deterioration requiring immediate action.

3-4

Serious to Poor

Significant deterioration affecting capacity. Often weight-restricted.

5-6

Fair

Minor deterioration visible. Maintenance recommended but not urgent.

7-9

Good to Excellent

Components in sound condition with no significant deficiencies.

Lowest Rated Bridges in North Carolina

1,298 bridges rated 0-4 on the federal condition scale, sorted by lowest rating first. Showing first 50 — click below to expand. Displaying top 200 of 1,298.

RankBridgeRatingYear BuiltCondition
#1FB 5

over JUMPING RUN CREEK

PU 703 903

01970Poor
#2FIREBREAK 4

over ROCKFISH CREEK

RANGE GG3 (W) AREA

11970Poor
#3FIRE BREAK L RIVER

over TRAINING AREA STREAM

PU 685 934

11970Poor
#4TRAIL

over MUDDY CREEK

PU 783 000

11960Poor
#5FB 1

over JUMPING RUN CREEK

PU 711 925

11970Poor
#6FIREBREAK 35

over TUCKAHOE CREEK

RANGE Y1 (E)

11960Poor
#7FIREBREAK 7

over ROCKFISH CREEK

RANGE GG2 (W)

11960Poor
#8FIREBREAK 14

over JUMIPER CREEK

RANGE HH1 (W) AREA

11960Poor
#9FIREBREAK 13

over ROCKFISH CREEK

RANGE BB3 (SW) AREA

11960Poor
#10FIREBREAK 14

over ROCKFISH CREEK

RANGE BB3 (W)

11960Poor
#11FIREBREAK 9

over PINEY BOTTOM CREEK

RANGE CC2 (E)

11960Poor
#12FIREBREAK 29

over NICHOLSON CREEK

RANGE HH4 (E)

11970Poor
#13FIREBREAK 27

over CALF BRANCH

RANGE GG1 (W)

11960Poor
#14FIREBREAK 9

over FLAT CREEK

RANGE W2 (W)

11960Poor
#15WESTMONT DRIVE

over SOUTHERN RAILROAD

0.1MI.N.JCT.GRAHAM PKWY.

21957Poor
#16SR1333

over WHITE OAK RIVER

0.5 MI N JCT SR1331

21967Poor
#17VALLEY FORGE RD

over CATES CREEK

0.4 MI. W. JCT. NC86

22020Poor
#18NFSR 140

over COURTHOUSE CREEK

2.9 MI. N. JCT. NC 215

21939Poor
#19FIREBREAK 5

over ROCKFISH CREEK

RANGE HH3 (W) AREA

21960Poor
#20DRY RIDGE ROAD

over WHIPPING CREEK

2.9 MI W US 264

21965Poor
#21ABANDON RAILROAD

over OVERHILLS LAKE

PU 790 998

21960Poor
#22FIREBREAK 15

over DEEP CREEK

PU 682 917

21990Poor
#23FB12

over DEEP CREEK

PU 680 924

21970Poor
#24FIREBREAK 11

over DEEP CREEK

PU 680 926

21970Poor
#25FIREBREAK 11

over FISHROCK CREEK

RANGE GG2 (W)

21960Poor
#26FIREBREAK 1

over BONES CREEK

RANGE I14 (E)

21960Poor
#27FIREBREAK 20

over DEEP CREEK

RANGE R (N)

21960Poor
#28FIREBREAK 7

over FLAT CREEK

RANGE W2 (NE)

21970Poor
#29RANGE ROAD

over TEXAS POND

RANGE QQ

21970Poor
#30FIREBREAK 16

over FLAT CREEK

RANGE V2 (E)

21960Poor
#31FIREBREAK 26

over SILVER RUN

RANGE BB1 (E)

21960Poor
#32UNK ROAD

over CROSSING TO MOTT LK

RANGE JJ (E)

21970Poor
#33SR2254

over SOUTHERN RAILROAD

0.21 MI. W. JCT. US220

31968Poor
#34US19 23

over I-240 OFF RAMPS

.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1333

31968Poor
#35US52

over GRASSY CREEK

.4 MI.N.JCT.SR2061

31962Poor
#36US29

over LITTLE TROUBLESOME CREEK

0.9 MI. S. JCT. NC87

31968Poor
#37I-40

over SKIFFLEY CREEK

11 MI.W.JCT.SR1338

31965Poor
#38SR1109

over LAKE NORMAN

0.8 MI. N. JCT. SR1911

31961Poor
#39US19 23 NBL

over REEMS CREEK

.3 MI.N.JCT.SR1720

31963Poor
#40US19 23SBL

over REEMS CREEK

.3 MI.N.JCT.SR1720

31963Poor
#41US23 74 NBL

over RICHLAND CREEK

.1 MI.S.JCT.US19 23

31965Poor
#42US23 74

over US19 23

.6 MI.S.JCT.NC209 CONN.

31965Poor
#43US401 N

over SOUTHERN RR CREEK

0.35 MI N JCT SR1375

31965Poor
#44NC67 NBL

over SALEM CREEK

0.4 MI. N. JCT. NC150

31955Poor
#45NC160

over SOUTHERN RAILROAD

0.6 MI. E. JCT. SR5901

31956Poor
#46US52 NBL

over TOMS CREEK

1.5 MI.N.JCT.NC268

31960Poor
#47SR1138 WBL

over SUGAR CREEK

0.15 MI.W.JCT.I77

31977Poor
#48NC86

over SOUTHERN RAILWAY

0.4 MI. S. JCT. I85

31954Poor
#49NC150

over S.FORK CATAWBA RIVER

0.2 MI. E. JCT. SR1222

31955Poor
#50SR3217

over CATAWBA CREEK

0.1 MI. E. JCT. SR2200

31967Poor
#51NC179 BUS

over CALABASH RIVER

1.4 MI. E. JCT. SR 1165

31975Poor
#52PATTON AVE

over I40 I85 BUS US29/70/22

0.3 MI. W. JCT. SR1401

31967Poor
#53SR2555

over WHITE OAK CREEK

1.2 MI. S.W. OF JCT. US70

31952Poor
#54SR2044

over SMITHS CREEK

1.2 MI.S.US1A

31967Poor
#55NC184

over SHAWNEEHAW CREEK

.1 MI.N.JCT.SR1342

31952Poor
#56NC88

over BUFFALO CREEK

.3 MI.S.JCT.SR1507

31949Poor
#57US29BUS

over US29 BYP.

0.65 MI. N. JCT. SR1925

31970Poor
#58SR1001

over POTTS CREEK

.3MI. S. JCT. WITH SR2033

31951Poor
#59SR1437

over STURGEON CREEK

0.5 MI.W.JCT.US74/US76

31953Poor
#60US64

over LONG BRANCH

1.6 MI.W.JCT.SR1119

31965Poor
#61OLD GREENSBORO RD.

over BRUSHY FORK CREEK

.1 MI.W.JCT.FIFTH ST.

31950Poor
#62E. HARRIS STREET

over LONG CREEK

150W.JCT.S.MADISON ST.

31960Poor
#63SR2442

over S.PRONG OF CLARKS CREEK

0.5 MI. S. JCT. SR2448

31964Poor
#64NC12

over THE SLASH

0.1MI S. JCT SR 1248

31956Poor
#65US21BUS

over I-77

.15 MI.N.JCT.SR1350

31964Poor
#6617TH ST.NW

over FRYE CREEK

0.3MI. N. OF JCT.W.SR1308

32020Poor
#67SR1892

over SOUTH YADKIN RIVER

1.3 MI. N. JCT. SR1913

31948Poor
#68SR1536

over SOUTHERN RR

0.01 MI.W.JCT.SR1541

31976Poor
#69SR1715

over FLAT RIVER CRK

0.2 MI. W. JCT. SR1712

31951Poor
#70SR2320

over LITTLE RIVER

1.9 MI. W. JCT. NC96

31967Poor
#71SR1152

over WHITE OAK CREEK

1.4 MI.E. OF JCT.SR1149

31961Poor
#72SR2347

over HAW RIVER

1.2 MI. N. OF JCT. SR1002

31955Poor
#73SR1509

over FORBUSH CREEK

100 FT.N.JCT.SR1591

31980Poor
#74SR1134

over LONG CREEK

75 FEET N. JCT. SR1448

31970Poor
#75SR1150

over MIDDLE LITTLE RIVER

0.8 MI. E. JCT. SR1155

31963Poor
#76OXFORD ROAD

over BELLS BRANCH

0.1 MI.S.JCT.10TH ST.

31966Poor
#77SR1571

over KINGS CREEK

75 FT.W.JCT.SR1552

31965Poor
#78SR1876

over WEST FORK PIGEON RIVER

.1 MI.W.JCT.NC110

31970Poor
#79SR1359

over MEADOW CREEK

.4 MI.N.JCT.SR1367

31974Poor
#80SR1140

over BEAVER CREEK

.01 MI.N.JCT.SR1143

31959Poor
#81SR1309

over W.FORK FRENCH BROAD RVR

1.6 MI.S.JCT.SR1322

31958Poor
#82SR1103

over CROOKED CREEK

0.9 MI S JCT SR1706

31969Poor
#83SR1360

over US220

0.25 MI. N. JCT. SR1376

31962Poor
#84SR1547

over HOLLANDS CREEK

.15 MI.N.JCT.SR1591

31967Poor
#85SR2125

over FLOYDS CREEK

.4 MI.W.JCT.US221

31963Poor
#86SR2493

over CUB CREEK

.3 MI.S.JCT.SR2467

31980Poor
#87SR1364

over JONATHAN CREEK

.05 MI.E.JCT.US276

31956Poor
#88SR1892

over ROCKY CREEK

0.1 MI. S. JCT. SR1857

31948Poor
#89SR1310

over NANTAHALA RIVER

1 MI.S.JCT.US19 74

31950Poor
#90SR1746

over GREAT COHARIE CREEK

0.8 MI. E. JCT SR1703

31967Poor
#91SR1338

over FISHER RIVER

1.3 MI.S.JCT.SR1407

31962Poor
#92SR1635

over MIDDLE CREEK

25 FT.S.JCT.SR1684

31980Poor
#93SR1501

over UT TO WOLFE CREEK

.8 MI.W.JCT.SR1518

31951Poor
#94SR1352

over SPRING CREEK

.01 MI.E.JCT.NC226

31963Poor
#95SR1325

over CATHEYS CREEK

.8 MI.W.JCT.US221

31951Poor
#96SR1886

over PATTERSON CREEK

0.6 MI. S. JCT. SR1891

31967Poor
#97SR2115

over SHAW CREEK

.04 MI.S.JCT.US64

31960Poor
#98SR2102

over BIG HORSE CREEK

0.2 MI.W.JCT.SR2107

31963Poor
#99SR1309

over PARKER CREEK

20 FT.N.JCT.SR1310

31962Poor
#100SR2432

over SWANNANOA RIVER

.3 MI.W.JCT.SR2416

31975Poor
#101SR1953

over ROCKY RIVER

1.0 MI. N. JCT. SR2155

31921Poor
#102SR1768

over ADKINS BRANCH

0.04 MI.S.JCT.SR1817

31971Poor
#103SR1133

over TAYLORS CREEK

0.2 MI.E.OF JCT.SR1101

31977Poor
#104SR1803

over NORTH MUDDY CREEK

0.4 MI.S.JCT.SR1762

31953Poor
#105SR1505

over WILDCAT SWAMP

0.6 MI.S. OF JCT.US158

31965Poor
#106SR1817

over WARD SWAMP

1.0 MI. N. OF JCT. SR1818

31975Poor
#107SR1523

over SILAS CREEK

.1 MI.N.JCT.SR1541

31966Poor
#108SR1310

over BIG LAUREL CREEK

25 FT.S.JCT.SR1315

31968Poor
#109SR1324

over LITTLE HORSE CREEK

150 FT.W.JCT.SR1354

31962Poor
#110SR1639

over KNOB CREEK

0.5 MI. E. JCT. SR1640

31935Poor
#111SR1155

over CUTAWHISKIE SWAMP

0.4MI.N.JCT.SR1154

31955Poor
#112SR1002

over E.FORK BIG CRABTREE CR

.05 MI.N.JCT.SR1100

31979Poor
#113SR1102

over NORTH PACOLET RIVER

.2 MI.E.JCT.SR1100

31969Poor
#114SR1331

over GREASY CREEK

.15 MI.N.JCT.SR1330

31979Poor
#115SR1828

over BACK SWAMP

0.6 MI. N. OF JCT SR1827

31951Poor
#116SR1832

over HUNTING CREEK

1.0 MI. N. JCT. SR1821

31975Poor
#117SR1223

over GREEN CREEK

.5 MI.E.JCT.NC261

31969Poor
#118SR1521

over REEDY CREEK

1.0 MI. N. JCT. SR1522

31970Poor
#119SR1169

over W. FORK PINE SWAMP CREEK

.4 MI.S.JCT.SR1103

31961Poor
#120SR1119

over NORTH FORK NEW RIVER

75 FT.S.JCT.NC88

31972Poor
#121SR1599

over PEAK CREEK

.9 MI.S.JCT.SR1604

31972Poor
#122SR1122

over LITTLE CREEK

.5 MI.E.JCT.SR1001

31968Poor
#123SR1320

over DOBBIN CREEK

.5 MI.E.JCT.SR1300

31971Poor
#124SR1700

over LITTLE FIRST BROAD RIVER

.9 MI.W.JCT.NC226

31959Poor
#125SR1468

over MOUNTAIN CREEK

0.6 MI.W. OF JCT US501

31990Poor
#126SR1530

over PAINT FORK CREEK

.4 MI.N.JCT.SR1531

31951Poor
#127HANGING MOSS TRL

over UT TO DUCK CREEK

0.15 MI. N. JCT. SR4274

31988Poor
#128SR1227

over NORTH FORK COVE CREEK

.2 MI.N.JCT.SR1233

31962Poor
#129SR1340

over MC KINNEY BRANCH

.05 MI.S.JCT.SR1417

31962Poor
#130SR1125

over LITTLE RUIN CREEK

0.5 MI. S. JCT. SR1124

31953Poor
#131SR1169

over SHELL CREEK

.8 MI.N.JCT.SR1155

31961Poor
#132SR1559

over LIMEKILN CREEK

.1 MI.E.JCT.SR1556

31960Poor
#133SR1109

over CABIN CREEK

0.9 MI.W.JCT.SR1106

31959Poor
#134SR1185

over ALARKA CREEK

.09 MI.W.JCT.SR1140

31970Poor
#135SR1216

over WEST FORK PIGEON RIVER

100 FT.E.JCT.NC215

31920Poor
#136SR1404

over PATSY CREEK

.15 MI.N.JCT.SR1403

31963Poor
#137TSALI ENOLA ROAD

over SOCO CREEK

TSALI ENOLA ROAD

31960Poor
#138FIREBREAK 10

over MILL CREEK

PU 680 931

31970Poor
#139FIREBREAK 17

over ROCKFISH CREEK

RANGE CC1 (W) AREA

31960Poor
#140FIREBREAK 9

over ROCKFISH CREEK

RANGE BB3 (W) AREA

31960Poor
#141FIREBREAK 16

over TRIB TO FLAT CREEK

RANGE T (W)

31960Poor
#142FIREBREAK 22

over ROCKFISH CREEK

RANGE CC1 (SW)

31960Poor
#143FIREBREAK 13

over FLAT CREEK

RANGE W2 (E)

31960Poor
#144FIREBREAK 2

over FLAT CREEK

RANGE II4

31960Poor
#145I277 & NC16

over US29/NC49 (GRAHAM ST.)

1.22 MI.N.JCT.US74 WBL

41971Poor
#146I277 & NC16

over BREVARD STREET

0.7 MI.N.JCT.US74 WBL

41967Poor
#147I277 & NC16

over NORTH COLLEGE STREET

0.84 MI.N.JCT.US74 WBL

41967Poor
#148I85

over ABERNATHY CREEK

0.4 MI. N. JCT. US29/US74

41962Poor
#149US52

over 25TH STREET

0.3 MI. S. JCT. SR2456

41964Poor
#150US52

over 28TH STREET

0.2 MI. S. JCT. SR2456

41964Poor
#151I40 BUS

over BRUSHY FORK CREEK

0.7 MI. E. JCT. SR4325

41958Poor
#152NC67

over US421

0.5 MI. W. JCT. US158

41959Poor
#153US421

over LITTLE CREEK

0.1 MI.W.JCT.I40

41960Poor
#154US15/US501NBL

over SR1308

0.2MI.N.JCT.SR1303

41956Poor
#155I40 US117 NC132

over SMITH CREEK

0.1 MI.E. OF JCT.SR2048

41985Poor
#156I40 BUS

over SALEM CREEK

0.3 MI.W.JCT.SR2657

41953Poor
#157I277 NBL US74 EBL

over I77 US21

0.15 MI. S. JCT. NC27

41970Poor
#158I277 SBL US74 WBL

over I77 US21

0.1 MI.S.JCT.NC27

41970Poor
#159US1NBL

over SEABOARD RR

1.3MI S JCT US1A

41941Poor
#160US220

over YANCEYVILLE STREET

0.4 MI. W. OF.JCT SR2526

41968Poor
#161I440 US1

over SR1012

0.88 MI.S. OF SR3007

41959Poor
#162US19 23 74

over SR1527

.8 MI.S.JCT.SR1660

41969Poor
#163I74 US311

over FIDDLERS CREEK

0.1 MI. N. JCT. SR2699

41981Poor
#164I85N

over RICHLAND CREEK

2.0 MI. N. JCT. NC62

41981Poor
#165US17

over US76

1.9 MI. N. OF JCT. NC 133

41968Poor
#166I85BUS US29 US70

over SR1009

1.53 MI. N. JCT. SR1300

41953Poor
#167I85S

over SR1713

0.5 MI. S. JCT. US70

41958Poor
#168US74

over SOUTHERN RAILROAD

.3 MI.N.JCT.US19 23 74

41961Poor
#169I-240 WBL

over ACCESS RD. HOMINY CREEK

0.2 MI.W.JCT.NC191

41967Poor
#170S. ELM EUGENE ST.

over I40 I85 BUSINESS

2.4 MI. N. JCT I85

41955Poor
#171I85SN US70E

over US70W.BUS

0.6 MI. N. JCT. SR1712

41958Poor
#172I-77 SBL

over THIRD CREEK

1.5 MI. N. JCT. SR 2342

41964Poor
#173US52 NBL

over SR1825 (PATTERSON AVE.)

0.7 MI. N. JCT. SR2264

41962Poor
#174US52 SBL

over SR1825 (PATTERSON AVE.)

0.7 MI. N. JCT. SR2264

41962Poor
#175US501

over ENO RIVER

3.8 MI. N. JCT. I85

41967Poor
#176SR1010 CENTER ST.

over US1

0.3 MI. E. OF JCT. SR1306

41959Poor
#177I26W US19 23N 70W

over NC251 SR1781 REEDS CREEK

.6 MI.S.JCT.SR1679

41970Poor
#178SR2026

over WILDCAT BRANCH

0.6 MI. S. JCT. I-40

41981Poor
#179I95S

over US421 NC55

0.6 MI. N. JCT. SR1793

41955Poor
#180US17

over CHANEY CREEK

0.5 MI.N. OF JCT.NC24

41957Poor
#181SR4000

over US52

0.55 MI. E. JCT. SR1672

41962Poor
#182I85S

over RICHLAND CREEK

2.0 MI. N. JCT. NC62

41981Poor
#183NC49

over SOUTHERN RAILROAD

0.2 MI. S. JCT. I77

41956Poor
#184ROBINHOOD ROAD

over NC67

0.2 MI. E. JCT. SR1372

41963Poor
#185SR1005

over I440

1.42 MI.N.SR2000

41961Poor
#186US29 SBL

over SR1401

1.3 MI. S. JCT. NC6

41966Poor
#187I85NBL US15N

over NEUSE RIVER/FALLS LAKE

4.0 MI.S.JCT.NC56

41969Poor
#188I40 WB

over SR1613

4.8 MI.E.JCT.SR1660

41961Poor
#189I-40

over SR1513

1.8 MI.E.JCT.SR1660

41961Poor
#190I-40

over PIGEON RIVER

0.4 MI.E.JCT.SR1338

41966Poor
#191I-40

over SR1338 JONATHAN CREEK

1 MI.W.JCT.US276

41966Poor
#192US29 & US74

over SOUTH FORK CATAWBA RIVER

0.4 MI. W. JCT. SR2014

41926Poor
#193I95 SBL

over BLACK CREEK

0.8 MI.N.JCT US301/701

41955Poor
#194US321NBL

over LAKE HICKORY

.15 MI.S.JCT.SR1760

41983Poor
#195US321SBL

over LAKE HICKORY

.15 MI.S.JCT.SR1760

41962Poor
#196I285/US52 NBL

over SOUTH FORK MUDDY CREEK

0.7 MI. N. JCT. SR4205

41971Poor
#197SR2264

over US52

0.7 MI. W. JCT. SR2456

41964Poor
#198SR4886

over US74

0.35 MI. E. JCT. US29

41970Poor
#199US158 NC14

over US29

1.6 MI. E. JCT. NC87

41968Poor
#200BEATTIES FORD ROAD

over NC16 & SCL.RR

0.5 MI. N. JCT. I77

41972Poor

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Data Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Bridge Inventory 2024

Bridge inspection data is typically updated every 24 months. Conditions may have changed since the last inspection.

“Structurally deficient” does not mean a bridge is unsafe or likely to collapse. It indicates that one or more key structural elements are in poor or worse condition. Bridges are inspected regularly and may have load restrictions in place.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used for route clearance or vehicle weight decisions.