Cherokee County Bridge Report Card
Cherokee County scores 76 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Cherokee County, North Carolina
Cherokee County has 163 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 17 rated poor and 0 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 10.4% is above the 7.1% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 18,410 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Cherokee County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 76/100 (C). The county has 163 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 17 in poor condition and 0 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 18,410 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 | 10.4% | 20.9 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 4.5% of measured traffic | 3.4 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 48 years vs 48 nationally | 0.1 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 406,945 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 | 10.4% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 7.1% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 0.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 48 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 18,410 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Cherokee County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Us19 Us74eb Us129n over Valley River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 8,250 | 1979 |
| Sr1548 over Hiwassee River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 3,100 | 1932 |
| Us129 over Southern Railroad | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,000 | 1963 |
| Sr1428 over Webb Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,300 | 1920 |
| Sr1624 over Valley River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,100 | 1970 |
| Sr1649 over Valley River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 700 | 1956 |
| Sr1515 over Taylor Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 550 | 1951 |
| Sr1345 over Hanging Dog Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 350 | 1966 |
| Sr1326 over Beaverdam Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 220 | 1971 |
| Sr1379 over Hyatt Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 200 | 1984 |
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.