The United States has 624K bridges, and 192K of them are structurally deficient. The average bridge is 48 years old. Search any bridge to see its condition grade (A-F), structural deficiency status, component ratings, and daily traffic count from FHWA inspection data.
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How many structurally deficient bridges are in the U.S.?
There are approximately 192K structurally deficient bridges in the United States out of 624K total, based on the latest FHWA National Bridge Inventory data. A bridge is classified as structurally deficient when any of its three primary components (deck, superstructure, or substructure) receives a condition rating of 4 or below on the 0-9 NBI scale. This does not mean these bridges are imminently dangerous, but they need significant repair, rehabilitation, or replacement.
How do I check if a bridge near me is safe?
Search any bridge by name, road, or location using the search bar above to see its condition grade (A through F), structural deficiency status, and inspection details. Every bridge on a public road is inspected at least every 24 months by certified engineers following FHWA standards. Bridges with a grade of C or below may have deteriorated components, while D and F grades indicate significant structural concerns. You can also browse by state to see which bridges in your area are in the worst condition.
What does structurally deficient mean?
A bridge is classified as structurally deficient when any of its three primary components (deck, superstructure, or substructure) receives a condition rating of 4 or below on the 0-9 NBI scale. This classification does not necessarily mean the bridge is unsafe to cross. It means the bridge has deteriorated to a point where it needs significant repair, rehabilitation, or replacement. Structurally deficient bridges are still inspected regularly and may have weight restrictions or lane closures to manage risk.
What is the average age of a bridge in America?
The average age of a U.S. bridge is 48 years, and roughly one in three bridges has exceeded its original 50-year design life. Many bridges built before 1970 were designed for lighter traffic loads and smaller vehicles than what they carry today. Age alone does not make a bridge unsafe, but older bridges are more likely to have structural issues. Our Condition Score applies an age penalty to bridges over 50 years to account for cumulative wear, but well-maintained older bridges can still earn high grades.
Where does this bridge data come from?
All data comes from the Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory (NBI), which is updated annually. Every bridge on a public road in the United States is required to be inspected at least once every two years by certified inspectors. The NBI contains records for over 620,000 bridges, including condition ratings, traffic counts, structural details, and maintenance history. This data is publicly available through the FHWA and is the same dataset used by state DOTs for infrastructure planning.
Which states have the most structurally deficient bridges?
States with the highest numbers of structurally deficient bridges tend to be older, larger states with extensive highway systems. Pennsylvania, Iowa, West Virginia, and Oklahoma consistently rank among the worst for bridge conditions. However, the percentage of deficient bridges varies significantly by state. You can browse all states on this page to compare the number of bridges and deficiency rates in each state.