US Bridges

Paxton Road over Spanish Creek

FairPosted for load

Charlton County, Georgia · 2 MI NW of Folkston · Structure no. 000000004950380

Built
1950
75 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected July 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
160 ft
8 main spans
Daily traffic
220
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Paxton Road over Spanish Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Paxton Road over Spanish Creek in Charlton County, Georgia. It was built in 1950, so it is 75 years old, older 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 220 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 735 by 2032. The structure is 160 ft (48.8 m) long and 21 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPaxton Road
CrossesSpanish Creek
Location2 MI NW of Folkston
RouteCounty Highway 56
CountyCharlton County
StateGeorgia
Coordinates30.84931, -82.07029
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionJuly 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy7: Better than present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating35.9 US tons
Inventory rating21.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans8
Design loadH 10
Structure length160 ft (48.8 m)
Longest span20 ft (6.1 m)
Deck width21 ft (6.5 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic220 (2024)
Projected traffic735 by 2032
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$938,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Paxton Road over Spanish Creek built?

It was built in 1950, making it 75 years old in 2025.

What condition is Paxton Road over Spanish 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 July 2023.

How much traffic does Paxton Road over Spanish Creek carry?

About 220 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Paxton Road over Spanish Creek?

The structure is 160 ft (48.8 m) long with a longest span of 20 ft (6.1 m) and a deck 21 ft wide.

Who owns Paxton Road over Spanish Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.