US Bridges

Gates Chapel Road over Mountaintown Creek

FairPosted for load

Gilmer County, Georgia · 8.7 MI NW of Ellijay · Structure no. 000000012350450

Built
1977
48 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
52 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
260
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Gates Chapel Road over Mountaintown Creek is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Gates Chapel Road over Mountaintown Creek in Gilmer County, Georgia. It was built in 1977, so it is 48 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 6 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 260 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 735 by 2032. The structure is 52 ft (15.8 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.2 mi (2 km).

Location

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CarriesGates Chapel Road
CrossesMountaintown Creek
Location8.7 MI NW of Ellijay
RouteCounty Highway 65
CountyGilmer County
StateGeorgia
Coordinates34.80141, -84.56497
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.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMarch 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 geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating35.9 US tons
Inventory rating21.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadHS 20
Structure length52 ft (15.8 m)
Longest span26 ft (7.9 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.9 m)
Roadway width19 ft (5.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic260 (2024)
Projected traffic735 by 2032
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.2 mi (2 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—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Gates Chapel Road over Mountaintown Creek built?

It was built in 1977, making it 48 years old in 2025.

What condition is Gates Chapel Road over Mountaintown 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 2023.

How much traffic does Gates Chapel Road over Mountaintown Creek carry?

About 260 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Gates Chapel Road over Mountaintown Creek?

The structure is 52 ft (15.8 m) long with a longest span of 26 ft (7.9 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns Gates Chapel Road over Mountaintown Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.