US Bridges

Gowder Road over Grove Creek

Fair

Banks County, Georgia · 5.2 MI SW of Homer · Structure no. 000000001150100

Built
1982
43 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected August 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
54 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
126
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Gowder Road over Grove Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Gowder Road over Grove Creek in Banks County, Georgia. It was built in 1982, so it is 43 years old, younger than the Georgia average of 47.5 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 126 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 75 by 2032. The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesGowder Road
CrossesGrove Creek
Location5.2 MI SW of Homer
RouteCounty Highway 42
CountyBanks County
StateGeorgia
Coordinates34.27833, -83.55825
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionAugust 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry2: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of replacement
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating99 US tons
Inventory rating75.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length54 ft (16.5 m)
Longest span54 ft (16.5 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.4 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic126 (2024)
Projected traffic75 by 2032
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed3.7 mi (6 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedWidening with deck rehabilitation or replacement
Estimated improvement cost$230,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Gowder Road over Grove Creek built?

It was built in 1982, making it 43 years old in 2025.

What condition is Gowder Road over Grove Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in August 2023.

How much traffic does Gowder Road over Grove Creek carry?

About 126 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Gowder Road over Grove Creek?

The structure is 54 ft (16.5 m) long with a longest span of 54 ft (16.5 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns Gowder Road over Grove Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.