US Bridges

Burrells Ford Road over Chattooga River

Fair

Rabun County, Georgia · S. C. and Ga. State Line · Structure no. 080305000003053

Built
1967
58 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Girder and Floorbeam System
Steel
Length
128 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
28
1988 count
Owner
Federal
U.S. Forest Service

About this bridge

Burrells Ford Road over Chattooga River is a steel girder and floorbeam system carrying Burrells Ford Road over Chattooga River in Rabun County, Georgia. It was built in 1967, so it is 58 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 28 vehicles a day, projected to reach 42 by 2045. The structure is 128 ft (39 m) long and 24 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 29.8 mi (48 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBurrells Ford Road
CrossesChattooga River
LocationS. C. and Ga. State Line
RouteFederal Lands Road 646.6
CountyRabun County
StateGeorgia
Coordinates34.97439, -83.11631
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; action required to protect exposed foundations
Structural evaluation6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Deck geometry5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating43.5 US tons
Inventory rating33.6 US tons

Structure

Structure typeGirder and Floorbeam System
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1 (+2 approach)
Design loadH 20
Structure length128 ft (39 m)
Longest span70 ft (21.3 m)
Deck width24 ft (7.3 m)
Roadway width22 ft (6.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic28 (1988)
Projected traffic42 by 2045
Trucks—
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed29.8 mi (48 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerU.S. Forest Service
Maintained byU.S. Forest Service
Historic statusHistorical significance not determinable at this time
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Burrells Ford Road over Chattooga River built?

It was built in 1967, making it 58 years old in 2025.

What condition is Burrells Ford Road over Chattooga 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 October 2023.

How much traffic does Burrells Ford Road over Chattooga River carry?

About 28 vehicles per day (1988 count).

How long is Burrells Ford Road over Chattooga River?

The structure is 128 ft (39 m) long with a longest span of 70 ft (21.3 m) and a deck 24 ft wide.

Who owns Burrells Ford Road over Chattooga River?

It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.