US Bridges

Highlands Road over Big Creek

Fair

Rabun County, Georgia · 13 MI NE of Clayton · Structure no. 000000024100180

Built
1938
87 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected June 2024
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
68 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
470
2024 count
Owner
State
State Highway Agency

About this bridge

Highlands Road over Big Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Highlands Road over Big Creek in Rabun County, Georgia. It was built in 1938, so it is 87 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 5 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 470 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 585 by 2031. The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 37.9 mi (61 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesHighlands Road
CrossesBig Creek
Location13 MI NE of Clayton
RouteState Highway 28
CountyRabun County
StateGeorgia
Coordinates34.98286, -83.19108
Functional classRural Major 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
Deck5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionJune 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy9: Superior to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating42 US tons
Inventory rating24.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans2
Design loadH 15
Structure length68 ft (20.7 m)
Longest span34 ft (10.4 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.2 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic470 (2024)
Projected traffic585 by 2031
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed37.9 mi (61 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$399,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Highlands Road over Big Creek built?

It was built in 1938, making it 87 years old in 2025.

What condition is Highlands Road over Big 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 June 2024.

How much traffic does Highlands Road over Big Creek carry?

About 470 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Highlands Road over Big Creek?

The structure is 68 ft (20.7 m) long with a longest span of 34 ft (10.4 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Highlands Road over Big Creek?

It is owned by the State Highway Agency.