Buncombe County Bridge Report Card
Buncombe County scores 74 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Buncombe County, North Carolina
Buncombe County has 552 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 57 rated poor and 2 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 10.3% is above the 7.1% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 310,675 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Buncombe County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 74/100 (C). The county has 552 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 57 in poor condition and 2 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 310,675 daily vehicle crossings. Poor condition does not mean unsafe; bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted by transportation agencies.
How the Score Breaks Down
| Factor | Weight | County Value | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poor-condition bridge share | 40 | 10.3% | 20.7 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 5.6% of measured traffic | 4.2 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 0.4% | 0.7 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 48 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 5,549,491 measured daily crossings | 0.0 |
Score = 100 minus weighted penalties. The score is a comparative research signal, not an official safety rating. Read the full methodology.
County Comparisons
| County Poor-Condition Share | 10.3% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 7.1% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 0.4% |
| Average Bridge Age | 48 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 310,675 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Buncombe County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Us19 23 over I-240 Off Ramps | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 48,000 | 1968 |
| I-240 Ebl over Access Rd. Hominy Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 30,000 | 1967 |
| I-240 Wbl over Access Rd. Hominy Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 30,000 | 1967 |
| I26w Us19 23n 70w over Nc251 Sr1781 Reeds Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 29,250 | 1970 |
| Us19 23 Nbl over Reems Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 21,000 | 1963 |
| Us19 23sbl over Reems Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 21,000 | 1963 |
| Sr2838 over Southern Railroad | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 16,000 | 1972 |
| Sr3556 over French Broad River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 14,500 | 1951 |
| Us19 23b over I-26 I-240 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 13,000 | 1967 |
| Sr1002 over French Broad Rvr So.rr | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 8,400 | 1954 |
Important safety note
Poor condition does not mean a bridge is unsafe. It means at least one major component has significant deterioration and the bridge is a priority for maintenance, repair, or replacement. Bridges judged unsafe are closed or restricted by transportation agencies.