US Bridges

US 221 over Big Brier Creek

Fair

McDuffie County, Georgia · 7 MI SW of Dearing · Structure no. 000000018950280

Built
2015
10 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected January 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Prestressed Concrete
Length
450 ft
9 main spans
Daily traffic
2,780
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

US 221 over Big Brier Creek is a prestressed concrete stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying US 221 over Big Brier Creek in McDuffie County, Georgia. It was built in 2015, so it is 10 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 2,780 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 3,000 by 2035. The structure is 450 ft (137.2 m) long and 43 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 16.8 mi (27 km).

Location

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CarriesUS 221
CrossesBig Brier Creek
Location7 MI SW of Dearing
RouteU.S. Route 221
CountyMcDuffie County
StateGeorgia
Coordinates33.31148, -82.37551
Functional classRural Minor Arterial

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.
Superstructure8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionJanuary 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation7: Better than present minimum criteria
Deck geometry6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating76.9 US tons
Inventory rating47 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialPrestressed Concrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans9
Design loadHL 93
Structure length450 ft (137.2 m)
Longest span50 ft (15.2 m)
Deck width43 ft (13.2 m)
Roadway width40 ft (12.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic2,780 (2024)
Projected traffic3,000 by 2035
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed16.8 mi (27 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 proposedDeck replacement with only incidental widening
Estimated improvement cost$59.9 million
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was US 221 over Big Brier Creek built?

It was built in 2015, making it 10 years old in 2025.

What condition is US 221 over Big Brier 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 January 2025.

How much traffic does US 221 over Big Brier Creek carry?

About 2,780 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is US 221 over Big Brier Creek?

The structure is 450 ft (137.2 m) long with a longest span of 50 ft (15.2 m) and a deck 43 ft wide.

Who owns US 221 over Big Brier Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.