US Bridges

I-285 over Doolittle Creek

Good

DeKalb County, Georgia · 8 MI S of Decatur · Structure no. 000000008900990

Built
1967
58 years old, rebuilt 1979
Condition
Good
inspected April 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
172 ft
5 main spans
Daily traffic
145,000
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

I-285 over Doolittle Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying I-285 over Doolittle Creek in DeKalb County, Georgia. It was built in 1967 and reconstructed in 1979, so it is 58 years old, older than the Georgia average of 47.5 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in good condition with a lowest component rating of 7 out of 9. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

It carries about 145,000 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 218,835 by 2031. The structure is 172 ft (52.4 m) long and 134 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 9.9 mi (16 km).

CarriesI-285
CrossesDoolittle Creek
Location8 MI S of Decatur
RouteInterstate 285
StateGeorgia
Coordinates33.6962, -84.28573
Functional classUrban Principal Arterial - Interstate

Condition and inspection

Good

All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionApril 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating46 US tons
Inventory rating28 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans5
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length172 ft (52.4 m)
Longest span36 ft (11 m)
Deck width134 ft (40.9 m)
Roadway width129 ft (39.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic145,000 (2024)
Projected traffic218,835 by 2031
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure8
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed9.9 mi (16 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemYes
Strategic Highway NetworkInterstate STRAHNET route

Ownership and planned work

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$2.7 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was I-285 over Doolittle Creek built?

It was built in 1967, making it 58 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1979.

What condition is I-285 over Doolittle Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in good condition. All primary components (deck, superstructure, substructure, or culvert) are rated 7 or higher. No significant problems were noted. The last reported inspection was in April 2024.

How much traffic does I-285 over Doolittle Creek carry?

About 145,000 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is I-285 over Doolittle Creek?

The structure is 172 ft (52.4 m) long with a longest span of 36 ft (11 m) and a deck 134 ft wide.

Who owns I-285 over Doolittle Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.