Georgia

Highlights from FHWAs 2016 National Bridge Inventory Data

Of the 14,835 bridges in Georgia, 700, or 5%, are classified as structurally deficient. This means one or more
of the key bridge elements, such as the deck, superstructure or substructure, is considered to be in poor
or worse condition.1
1,604 bridges, or 11%, are classified as functionally obsolete. This means the bridge does not meet design
standards in line with current practice.
1,487 bridges are posted for load, which may restrict the size and weight of vehicles crossing the structure.
Federal investment in Georgia has supported $2.0 billion for capital improvements on 1,117 bridges
between 2005 and 2014.2
Over the last 10 years, 890 new bridges have been constructed in the state; 128 have undergone major
reconstruction.
The state has identified needed repairs on 13,541 bridges, which the state estimates will cost $27 billion.3

Bridge Inventory
All Bridges Structurally Deficient Bridges
4
Type of Bridge Total Area Daily Total Area Daily
Number (sq. meters) Crossings Number (sq. meters) Crossings
Rural Bridges
Interstate 422 711,056 14,890,950 2 3,733 2,400
Other principal arterial 988 987,231 6,795,450 8 23,455 29,480
Minor arterial 1,367 865,337 5,219,398 31 17,662 145,180
Major collector 2,634 1,014,170 3,584,413 100 43,442 130,850
Minor collector 1,179 279,429 617,516 78 21,242 38,472
Local 3,415 558,534 1,280,814 347 52,857 89,878
Urban Bridges
Interstate 571 1,191,411 52,673,198 3 8,064 297,070
Freeway/expressway 223 334,522 9,962,980 1 0 26,920
Other principal arterial 816 1,236,921 16,129,860 13 47,934 275,600
Minor arterial 1,249 1,150,476 15,018,889 38 31,344 334,070
Collector 617 400,212 3,955,756 17 10,033 100,370
Local 1,354 674,759 4,939,283 62 12,875 106,226
Total 14,835 9,404,058 135,068,512 700 272,640 1,576,516

2017 The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of ARTBA.
 Proposed Bridge Work
Cost Area
Type of Work Number Daily Crossings
(millions) (sq. meters)
Bridge replacement 1,404 $2,046.4 4,177,313 512,498
Widening & rehabilitation 1,199 $1,182.4 7,908,280 705,162
Rehabilitation 11 $15.9 220,921 11,648
Deck rehabilitation/replacement 128 $11,127.3 1,056,813 187,370
Other work 10,802 $12,444.6 104,000,000 7,051,937

Top Most Traveled Structurally Deficient Bridges in Georgia

Daily
County Year Built Type of Bridge Location
Crossings
Fulton 1966 137,730 Urban Interstate I-285 over South Utoy Creek
Cobb 1978 79,670 Urban Interstate I-285 over Ramp I-285C to I-75 NBl
Cobb 1978 79,670 Urban Interstate I-285 over Rmp I-285 Ccbl to I-75S
Urban other
Bibb 1924 34,880 US 41 SBL SR 49 over Rocky Creek
principal arterial
Urban other
DeKalb 1922 31,650 Ponce De Leon over Lullwater Creek
principal arterial
Urban other
Muscogee 1962 31,400 US 280 SR 520 Cor over M-87- Chatt. River- RR
principal arterial
Urban other
Muscogee 1924 27,180 Buena Vista Road over Bull Creek
principal arterial
Urban
Muscogee 1988 26,920 US 80 over Flatrock Creek
freeway/expressway
Urban other
Houston 1981 26,910 US 129 over Sandy Run Creek
principal arterial
Urban other
Floyd 1947 23,080 SR 1 - US 27 over Big Dry Creek
principal arterial

Sources: Bridge data is from the 2016 National Bridge Inventory ASCII files, released by the Federal Highway Administration in January 2017.
Note that specific conditions on bridges may have changed as a result of recent work.
________________________________
1
According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), a bridge is classified as structurally deficient if the condition rating for the deck, superstructure, substructure
or culvert and retaining walls is rated 4 or below or if the bridge receives an appraisal rating of 2 or less for structural condition or waterway adequacy. During inspection,
the conditions of a variety of bridge elements are rated on a scale of 0 (failed condition) to 9 (excellent condition). A rating of 4 is considered poor condition and the
individual element displays signs of advanced section loss, deterioration, spalling or scour. ARTBA follows the methodology of the FHWA and evaluates bridge status
without applying the 10-year rule.
2
ARTBA analysis of FHWA data, includes all bridge construction-related spending on projects approved by FHWA between 2005 and 2014.
3
States report the cost of proposed bridge work for each bridge to the Federal Highway Administration as part of the bridge inventory data each year. Each highway
agency is encouraged to use its best available information and established procedures to determine bridge improvement costs.
4
Bridges are classified by FHWA into types based on the functional classification of the roadway on the bridge. Interstates comprise routes officially designated by the
Secretary of Transportation, and the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. Other principal arterials serve major centers of urban
areas or provide mobility through rural areas. Freeways and expressways are similar to interstates, with directional lanes generally separated by a physical barrier, and
access/egress points generally limited to on- and off-ramps. Minor arterials are used for trips of moderate length, serve smaller geographic areas and connect to the higher
arterial system. Collectors funnel traffic from local roads to the arterial network; major collectors have higher speed limits and traffic volumes, and are longer in length and
spaced at greater intervals, while minor collectors are shorter and provide service to smaller communities. Local roads do not carry through traffic, and are intended for
short distance travel.

2017 The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of ARTBA.