Caldwell County Bridge Report Card
Caldwell County scores 74 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Caldwell County, North Carolina
Caldwell County has 199 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 20 rated poor and 0 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 10.1% is above the 7.1% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 55,980 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Caldwell County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 74/100 (C). The county has 199 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 20 in poor condition and 0 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 55,980 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 | 10.1% | 20.1 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 8.4% of measured traffic | 6.3 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 43 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 662,805 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 | 10.1% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 7.1% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 0.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 43 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 55,980 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Caldwell County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Us321nbl over Lake Hickory | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 22,250 | 1983 |
| Us64 Nc18 over Greasy Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 19,500 | 1960 |
| Sr1002 over Gunpowder Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 6,000 | 1974 |
| Complex Road over Lower Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 3,200 | 1968 |
| Sr1372 over Yadkin River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 820 | 1995 |
| Sr1712 over Upper Little River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 700 | 1959 |
| Sr1719 over Upper Little River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 700 | 1976 |
| Sr1740 over Upper Little River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 650 | 1976 |
| Sr1545 over Zacks Fork Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 500 | 1950 |
| Sr1519 over Warrior Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 350 | 1958 |
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.