Watauga County Bridge Report Card
Watauga County scores 80 out of 100 on BridgeLookup's Bridge Condition Exposure Score, based on FHWA National Bridge Inventory records.
Watauga County, North Carolina
Watauga County has 199 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, with 18 rated poor and 0 rated scour-critical. Its poor-condition share of 9.0% is above the 7.1% statewide average. Poor-condition bridges carry about 10,860 daily vehicle crossings.
Quote-Ready Local Facts
Copyable Facts for Reporters
BridgeLookup.com gives Watauga County a Bridge Condition Exposure Score of 80/100 (B). The county has 199 bridges in the National Bridge Inventory, including 18 in poor condition and 0 rated scour-critical. Poor-condition bridges carry about 10,860 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 | 9.0% | 18.1 |
| Poor-condition traffic exposure | 25 | 2.0% of measured traffic | 1.5 |
| Scour-critical bridge share | 20 | 0.0% | 0.0 |
| Average age vs national baseline | 10 | 41 years vs 48 nationally | 0.0 |
| Traffic-data completeness | 5 | 530,005 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 | 9.0% |
| State Poor-Condition Share | 7.1% |
| National Poor-Condition Share | 6.7% |
| County Scour-Critical Share | 0.0% |
| Average Bridge Age | 41 years |
| Poor-Condition Traffic Exposure | 10,860 vehicles/day |
Bridges to Watch
Top Bridges to Watch in Watauga County
| Bridge | Reason | Condition | Daily Traffic | Year Built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Ridge Parkway over U.s. Route 421 | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,300 | 2001 |
| Sr1113 over Upper Laurel Fork Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 2,000 | 1968 |
| Sr1202 over Watauga River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 1,100 | 1962 |
| Sr1359 over Meadow Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 950 | 1974 |
| Sr1306 over Sharp Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 800 | 1995 |
| Sr1142 over Brushy Fork Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 550 | 1958 |
| Sr1134 over Dutch Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 500 | 1979 |
| Sr1200 over Watauga River | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 400 | 2005 |
| Sr1508 over Elk Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 370 | 1974 |
| Sr1508 over Elk Creek | Poor condition + traffic exposure | Poor | 370 | 1975 |
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.