US Bridges

Owl Town Road over Cartecay River Trib.

Fair

Gilmer County, Georgia · 3 MI SE of Ellijay · Structure no. 000000012350590

Built
1996
29 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected April 2023
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
40 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
126
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Owl Town Road over Cartecay River Trib. is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Owl Town Road over Cartecay River Trib. in Gilmer County, Georgia. It was built in 1996, so it is 29 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 6 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 150 by 2032. The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long and 15 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 3.7 mi (6 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesOwl Town Road
CrossesCartecay River Trib.
Location3 MI SE of Ellijay
RouteCounty Highway 121
CountyGilmer County
StateGeorgia
Coordinates34.66835, -84.45018
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionApril 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 adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating47 US tons
Inventory rating28 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length40 ft (12.2 m)
Longest span40 ft (12.2 m)
Deck width15 ft (4.5 m)
Roadway width14 ft (4.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic126 (2024)
Projected traffic150 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 proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Owl Town Road over Cartecay River Trib. built?

It was built in 1996, making it 29 years old in 2025.

What condition is Owl Town Road over Cartecay River Trib. 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 April 2023.

How much traffic does Owl Town Road over Cartecay River Trib. carry?

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

How long is Owl Town Road over Cartecay River Trib.?

The structure is 40 ft (12.2 m) long with a longest span of 40 ft (12.2 m) and a deck 15 ft wide.

Who owns Owl Town Road over Cartecay River Trib.?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.