US Bridges

Pope Road over Hightower Creek

Fair

Towns County, Georgia · 4 MI SE of Hiawassee · Structure no. 000000028150310

Built
2004
21 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected May 2024
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
67 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
20
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Pope Road over Hightower Creek is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Pope Road over Hightower Creek in Towns County, Georgia. It was built in 2004, so it is 21 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 20 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 156 by 2031. The structure is 67 ft (20.4 m) long and 16 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesPope Road
CrossesHightower Creek
Location4 MI SE of Hiawassee
RouteCounty Highway 161
CountyTowns County
StateGeorgia
Coordinates34.91599, -83.69897
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
Deck7 GoodSome minor problems.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure7 GoodSome minor problems.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionMay 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 adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Operating rating86 US tons
Inventory rating50.9 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length67 ft (20.4 m)
Longest span67 ft (20.4 m)
Deck width16 ft (4.8 m)
Roadway width15 ft (4.7 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic20 (2024)
Projected traffic156 by 2031
Trucks1%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 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$286,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Pope Road over Hightower Creek built?

It was built in 2004, making it 21 years old in 2025.

What condition is Pope Road over Hightower 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 May 2024.

How much traffic does Pope Road over Hightower Creek carry?

About 20 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Pope Road over Hightower Creek?

The structure is 67 ft (20.4 m) long with a longest span of 67 ft (20.4 m) and a deck 16 ft wide.

Who owns Pope Road over Hightower Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.