US Bridges

New Hope Road over Wards Creek

FairPosted for load

Thomas County, Georgia · App 4 MI NE of Metcalf · Structure no. 000000027550120

Built
1960
65 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected December 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Wood or Timber
Length
32 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
194
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

New Hope Road over Wards Creek is a wood or timber stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying New Hope Road over Wards Creek in Thomas County, Georgia. It was built in 1960, so it is 65 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. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 194 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 15 by 2031. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 19 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesNew Hope Road
CrossesWards Creek
LocationApp 4 MI NE of Metcalf
RouteCounty Highway 22
CountyThomas County
StateGeorgia
Coordinates30.71926, -83.93101
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
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Last inspectionDecember 2024
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourUnknown foundation; not evaluated for scour
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating17 US tons
Inventory rating11.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialWood or Timber
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span16 ft (4.9 m)
Deck width19 ft (5.8 m)
Roadway width18 ft (5.5 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic194 (2024)
Projected traffic15 by 2031
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed11.2 mi (18 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 proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$188,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was New Hope Road over Wards Creek built?

It was built in 1960, making it 65 years old in 2025.

What condition is New Hope Road over Wards 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 December 2024.

How much traffic does New Hope Road over Wards Creek carry?

About 194 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is New Hope Road over Wards Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 16 ft (4.9 m) and a deck 19 ft wide.

Who owns New Hope Road over Wards Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.