US Bridges

Swamp Road over Gum Swamp

PoorPosted for load

Ware County, Georgia · 8 MI SE of Waycross · Structure no. 000000029900520

Built
1965
60 years old
Condition
Poor
inspected December 2023
Type
Slab
Concrete
Length
165 ft
11 main spans
Daily traffic
510
2024 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Swamp Road over Gum Swamp is a concrete slab carrying Swamp Road over Gum Swamp in Ware County, Georgia. It was built in 1965, so it is 60 years old, older than the Georgia average of 47.5 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in poor condition with a lowest component rating of 4 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 510 vehicles a day, roughly 1% of them trucks, projected to reach 705 by 2032. The structure is 165 ft (50.3 m) long and 25 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 11.2 mi (18 km).

Location

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CarriesSwamp Road
CrossesGum Swamp
Location8 MI SE of Waycross
RouteCounty Highway 1709
CountyWare County
StateGeorgia
Coordinates31.0751, -82.36649
Functional classRural Major Collector

Condition and inspection

Poor

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure4 PoorAdvanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection8 Very GoodNo problems noted.
Last inspectionDecember 2023
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 geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating46 US tons
Inventory rating28 US tons

Structure

Structure typeSlab
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, precast panels
Main spans11
Design loadH 15
Structure length165 ft (50.3 m)
Longest span15 ft (4.6 m)
Deck width25 ft (7.6 m)
Roadway width24 ft (7.3 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic510 (2024)
Projected traffic705 by 2032
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$967,000
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Swamp Road over Gum Swamp built?

It was built in 1965, making it 60 years old in 2025.

What condition is Swamp Road over Gum Swamp in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in poor condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 4 or below, indicating advanced deterioration. Poor does not mean unsafe; such bridges are inspected more often and may carry load restrictions. The last reported inspection was in December 2023.

How much traffic does Swamp Road over Gum Swamp carry?

About 510 vehicles per day (2024 count), of which roughly 1% are trucks.

How long is Swamp Road over Gum Swamp?

The structure is 165 ft (50.3 m) long with a longest span of 15 ft (4.6 m) and a deck 25 ft wide.

Who owns Swamp Road over Gum Swamp?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.