McDowell County Bridge Report Card
McDowell County scores 75 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
McDowell County, North Carolina
McDowell County has 232 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 21 rated poor and 3 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 9.1% is above the 7.1% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 59,014 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives McDowell County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 75/100 (C). The county has 232 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 21 in poor condition and 3 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 59,014 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 | 9.1% | 18.1 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 6.2% of measured traffic | 4.7 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 1.3% | 2.6 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 44 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 945,601 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 | 9.1% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 7.1% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 1.3% |
| Average Bridge Age | 44 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 59,014 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in McDowell County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nfsr 482a over Newberry Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 30 | 1953 |
| Us70 over Catawba River Over Flow | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 11,000 | 1952 |
| Us221 over Goose Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 8,500 | 1950 |
| Us221 over I-40 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 7,200 | 1958 |
| Us70 over Southern Rr | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5,400 | 1959 |
| Blue Ridge Parkway over Ravine | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5,007 | 1938 |
| Blue Ridge Parkway over Ravine | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5,007 | 1940 |
| Us70 over Sr1116 Sou.rr. Mill Cree | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 4,200 | 1953 |
| Nc226 over Alexander Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 3,000 | 1960 |
| Sr1103 over Little Crooked Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,300 | 1978 |
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.