US Bridges

Watts Mill Road over Soquee River

Fair

Habersham County, Georgia · 9 MI NW of Clarkesville · Structure no. 000000013750310

Built
1970
55 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel Continuous
Length
160 ft
3 main spans
Daily traffic
80
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Watts Mill Road over Soquee River is a steel continuous stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Watts Mill Road over Soquee River in Habersham 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 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 80 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 450 by 2031. The structure is 160 ft (48.8 m) long and 32 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 8.1 mi (13 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesWatts Mill Road
CrossesSoquee River
Location9 MI NW of Clarkesville
RouteCounty Highway 246
CountyHabersham County
StateGeorgia
Coordinates34.72859, -83.58373
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
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 evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry7: Better than present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Operating rating40.9 US tons
Inventory rating23.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel Continuous
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans3
Design loadHS 15
Structure length160 ft (48.8 m)
Longest span60 ft (18.3 m)
Deck width32 ft (9.8 m)
Roadway width29 ft (8.8 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic80 (2024)
Projected traffic450 by 2031
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed8.1 mi (13 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 Watts Mill Road over Soquee River built?

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

What condition is Watts Mill Road over Soquee River 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 Watts Mill Road over Soquee River carry?

About 80 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Watts Mill Road over Soquee River?

The structure is 160 ft (48.8 m) long with a longest span of 60 ft (18.3 m) and a deck 32 ft wide.

Who owns Watts Mill Road over Soquee River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.