Orange County Bridge Report Card
Orange County scores 77 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Orange County, North Carolina
Orange County has 189 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 16 rated poor and 0 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 8.5% is above the 7.1% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 149,050 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Orange County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 77/100 (C). The county has 189 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 16 in poor condition and 0 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 149,050 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 | 8.5% | 16.9 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 7.9% of measured traffic | 5.9 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 42 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 1,881,506 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 | 8.5% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 7.1% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 0.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 42 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 149,050 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Orange County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I85s over Sr1713 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 32,750 | 1958 |
| I85n Us70e over Us70w.bus | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 32,750 | 1958 |
| I85n over Sr1713 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 23,000 | 1958 |
| Us70 over Eno River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 11,000 | 1922 |
| Nc86 over Southern Railway | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 11,000 | 1954 |
| Sr1005 over Morgan Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 8,300 | 1939 |
| Us70bus Nc86 over Cates Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 7,300 | 1940 |
| Us70e over Sr1239w | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5,500 | 1953 |
| Nc86 over Old Field Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5,300 | 1951 |
| Nc86 over New Hope Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 5,200 | 1951 |
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.