Catawba County Bridge Report Card
Catawba County scores 77 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Catawba County, North Carolina
Catawba County has 235 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 18 rated poor and 4 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 7.7% is above the 7.1% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 94,000 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Catawba County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 77/100 (C). The county has 235 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 18 in poor condition and 4 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 94,000 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 | 7.7% | 15.3 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 5.0% of measured traffic | 3.8 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 1.7% | 3.4 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 44 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 1,862,830 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 | 7.7% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 7.1% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 1.7% |
| Average Bridge Age | 44 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 94,000 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Catawba County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I40 Ebl over Lyle Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 18,250 | 1957 |
| Sr1402 over Snow Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 14,000 | 1981 |
| Nc10 Nc16 over Nor. & S. Rr Abandoned | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 12,000 | 1958 |
| Sr1709 over I40 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 10,000 | 1957 |
| Nc150 over Seaboard Coastline Rr | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 9,900 | 1965 |
| Us321 Bus over Smyre Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 9,300 | 1922 |
| Nc16 Bus over Us70 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 6,500 | 1947 |
| Sr1170 over Ut To Henry Fork Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 3,100 | 1990 |
| Sr1196 over Longview Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,800 | 1960 |
| 17th St.nw over Frye Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,700 | 2020 |
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.