Rutherford County Bridge Report Card
Rutherford County scores 67 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Rutherford County, North Carolina
Rutherford County has 297 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 38 rated poor and 2 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 12.8% is above the 7.1% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 37,860 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Rutherford County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 67/100 (D). The county has 297 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 38 in poor condition and 2 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 37,860 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 | 12.8% | 25.6 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 6.0% of measured traffic | 4.5 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 0.7% | 1.3 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 51 years vs 48 nationally | 1.2 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 632,000 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 | 12.8% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 7.1% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 0.7% |
| Average Bridge Age | 51 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 37,860 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Rutherford County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Us74bus over Second Broad River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 8,700 | 1921 |
| Sr1510 over Catheys Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 3,500 | 1947 |
| Nc120 over Us74 Byp. | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 3,300 | 1968 |
| Us64 over Cove Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,700 | 1940 |
| Us64 over Broad River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,700 | 2010 |
| Sr1576 over Puzzle Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,200 | 1967 |
| Nc226 over N. Fork First Broad Ck | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,700 | 1955 |
| Sr1538 over Catheys Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,200 | 1967 |
| Sr1920 over Seaboard Rr (abandoned) | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,100 | 1972 |
| Sr1153 over Broad River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,000 | 1972 |
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.