Dare County Bridge Report Card
Dare County scores 67 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Dare County, North Carolina
Dare County has 40 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 4 rated poor and 2 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 10.0% is above the 7.1% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 6,225 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Dare County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 67/100 (D). The county has 40 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 4 in poor condition and 2 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 6,225 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 | 10.0% | 20.0 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 3.6% of measured traffic | 2.7 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 5.0% | 10.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 26 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 171,460 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 | 10.0% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 7.1% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 5.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 26 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 6,225 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Dare County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Us64 over Croatan Sound | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,400 | 1955 |
| Dry Ridge Road over Whipping Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5 | 1965 |
| Nc12 over The Slash | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 3,300 | 1956 |
| Sr1164 over Canal | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 520 | 2002 |
| Us158 over Jean Guite Creek | High traffic | Fair | 22,500 | 1966 |
| Us64 over Roanoke Sound | High traffic | Fair | 21,000 | 1990 |
| Us64 over Pond Island | High traffic | Fair | 20,500 | 1994 |
| Sr1217 over CR Off Kitty Hawk Bay | High traffic | Fair | 13,000 | 1994 |
| Sr1217 over Colington Creek | High traffic | Fair | 13,000 | 1994 |
| Nc12 over Creek | High traffic | Good | 7,700 | 2014 |
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.