US Bridges

Little Refuge Road over Shoal Creek

Fair

Cherokee County, Georgia · 2 MI SW of Waleska · Structure no. 000000005750020

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
160 ft
6 main spans
Daily traffic
340
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Little Refuge Road over Shoal Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Little Refuge Road over Shoal Creek in Cherokee County, Georgia. It was built in 1970, so it is 55 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.

It carries about 340 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 900 by 2031. The structure is 160 ft (48.8 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 6.8 mi (11 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesLittle Refuge Road
CrossesShoal Creek
Location2 MI SW of Waleska
RouteCounty Highway 34
CountyCherokee County
StateGeorgia
Coordinates34.29364, -84.56946
Functional classRural Minor Collector

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.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no 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 adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating33 US tons
Inventory rating21.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans6
Design loadH 15
Structure length160 ft (48.8 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.3 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.7 m)
Roadway width23 ft (7.1 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic340 (2024)
Projected traffic900 by 2031
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed6.8 mi (11 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$938,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Little Refuge Road over Shoal Creek built?

It was built in 1970, making it 55 years old in 2025.

What condition is Little Refuge Road over Shoal 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does Little Refuge Road over Shoal Creek carry?

About 340 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Little Refuge Road over Shoal Creek?

The structure is 160 ft (48.8 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.3 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Little Refuge Road over Shoal Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.