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Bridges & Structures

 

Tables of Frequently Requested NBI Information

The following links utilize bridge data submitted annually to FHWA by the States, Federal agencies, and Tribal governments, in accordance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards and the Recording and Coding Guide for the Structure Inventory and Appraisal of the Nations Bridges (.pdf). Each data set is submitted in the spring, and may be corrected or updated throughout the year. The data for public highway bridges is considered final and is published on this website by June 15th of each calendar year.

Changes to STRUCTURALLY DEFICIENT (SD): Effective with the 2018 archived data, the definition of this term has changed as described below.

Changes to FUNCTIONALLY OBSOLETE (FO): Effective with the 2016 archived data, FHWA is no longer tracking this measure, and will no longer be publishing it on our website. See below for details.

Historical Data

Definitions

  • Good (G), Fair (F), Poor(P): These terms are defined in accordance with the Pavement and Bridge Condition Performance Measures final rule, published in January of 2017. Bridge Condition is determined by the lowest rating of National Bridge Inventory (NBI) condition ratings for Item 58 (Deck), Item 59 (Superstructure), Item 60 (Substructure), or Item 62 (Culvert). If the lowest rating is greater than or equal to 7, the bridge is classified as Good; if it is less than or equal to 4, the classification is Poor. Bridges rated 5 or 6 are classified as Fair.
  • Bridge Deck Area: This term is defined in accordance with the Pavement and Bridge Condition Performance Measures final rule, published in January of 2017. Bridge Deck Area is determined by multiplying Length (NBI Item 49) by Width. If NBI Item 52 (Deck Width) is greater than zero, this value is used for Width in the calculation. If Item 52 is zero or null, as in cases where the roadway is on a fill over the structure and headwalls do not affect the flow of traffic, NBI Item 32 (Approach Roadway Width) is used for Width in the calculation. For data prior to 2018, only Item 52 is used for Width in the calculation, regardless of its value. Bridge Deck Area is shown in square meters.
  • Structurally Deficient: Beginning with the 2018 data archive, this term was eliminated from use in the National Bridge Inspection Program. A new term, Poor condition, was adopted to characterize the summary condition of a bridge that has any component [Item 58 (Deck), Item 59 (Superstructure), Item 60 (Substructure), or Item 62 (Culvert)] in Poor or worse condition [coded 4 or less] in accordance with the Pavement and Bridge Condition Performance Measures final rule, published in January of 2017.
  • Functionally Obsolete (FO): This term was previously defined in https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/0650dsup.cfm as having an appraisal rating of 3 or less for Item 68 (Deck Geometry), Item 69 (Underclearances), or Item 72 (Approach Roadway Alignment), OR having an appraisal rating of 3 for Item 67 (Structural Condition) or Item 71 (Waterway Adequacy). Functionally obsolete is a legacy classification that was used to implement the Highway Bridge Program, which was discontinued with the enactment of MAP-21. As a result, fiscal year 2015 was the last year outstanding Highway Bridge Program funds could be obligated on eligible projects, including ones with bridges that were once classified as functionally obsolete. Therefore, FHWA is no longer tracking this measure, and will not be publishing it on our website for the 2016 data forward. Our focus has shifted to a performance-based program as established in MAP-21 and continued in the Fast Act. As such, we encourage the use of the Good-Fair-Poor bridge condition measures outlined in the Pavement and Bridge Condition Performance Measures final rule, published in January of 2017.
  • Highway Bridge: A public vehicular structure more than 6.1 meters (20 feet) in length that spans an obstruction or depression. In data terms, all of the following apply: Item 5a=1; Item 49>=6.1 meters; Item 112=Y; and Item 42a=1 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8.
  • All codes for all items in the National Bridge Inventory can be found in the Recording and Coding Guide for the Structure Inventory and Appraisal of the Nation's Bridges located at: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/bripub.cfm and its Errata.
  • Definition of the National Highway System (NHS) can be found at: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/
Updated: 07/22/2024
Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000