New Hanover County Bridge Report Card
New Hanover County scores 93 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
New Hanover County, North Carolina
New Hanover County has 124 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 3 rated poor and 1 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 2.4% is at or below the 7.1% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 23,900 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives New Hanover County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 93/100 (A). The county has 124 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 3 in poor condition and 1 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 23,900 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 | 2.4% | 4.8 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 1.4% of measured traffic | 1.0 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 0.8% | 1.6 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 30 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 1,734,243 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 | 2.4% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 7.1% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 0.8% |
| Average Bridge Age | 30 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 23,900 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in New Hanover County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Us76 over Banks Channel | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 13,500 | 1972 |
| Us74 over Banks Channel | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 10,000 | 1957 |
| 6th Street over S.c.l. Rr | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 400 | 1911 |
| Us74 Us76 over Intracoastal W/w | Scour-critical foundation rating | Fair | 22,500 | 1956 |
| Us17 Us76 Us421 over Cape Fear River | High traffic | Fair | 69,000 | 1969 |
| I40 Us117 Nc132 over Smith Creek | High traffic | Fair | 59,000 | 1985 |
| Us74e Nc133 over Mcrae ST Csxrr Smith Cr. | High traffic | Good | 38,000 | 2005 |
| Us74 Wbl over Sr1302 & Smith Creek | High traffic | Good | 37,500 | 2005 |
| Us74e over Sr1302 Smith Creek | High traffic | Good | 37,500 | 2005 |
| Us74 Us76 over Bradley Creek | High traffic | Fair | 36,500 | 1989 |
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.