US Bridges

SR 197 over Soquee River

Good

Habersham County, Georgia · 7.1 MI NW of Clarkesville · Structure no. 000000013700220

Built
1933
92 years old, rebuilt 1993
Condition
Good
inspected March 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
68 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
410
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

SR 197 over Soquee River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying SR 197 over Soquee River in Habersham County, Georgia. It was built in 1933 and reconstructed in 1993, so it is 92 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 410 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 720 by 2031. The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long and 41 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesSR 197
CrossesSoquee River
Location7.1 MI NW of Clarkesville
RouteState Highway 197
CountyHabersham County
StateGeorgia
Coordinates34.71094, -83.57324
Functional classRural Major Collector

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 inspectionMarch 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating71 US tons
Inventory rating42 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadHS 20 + Mod
Structure length68 ft (20.7 m)
Longest span68 ft (20.7 m)
Deck width41 ft (12.5 m)
Roadway width38 ft (11.6 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic410 (2024)
Projected traffic720 by 2031
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

OwnerState Highway Agency
Maintained byState Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost$399,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was SR 197 over Soquee River built?

It was built in 1933, making it 92 years old in 2025. It was reconstructed in 1993.

What condition is SR 197 over Soquee River 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 March 2024.

How much traffic does SR 197 over Soquee River carry?

About 410 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is SR 197 over Soquee River?

The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long with a longest span of 68 ft (20.7 m) and a deck 41 ft wide.

Who owns SR 197 over Soquee River?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.