US 25 SR 23

over BACK SWAMP

3 MI W OF LUDOWICI, Long County, Georgia

Condition

Fair

Year Built

1954

Daily Traffic

13,500

Length

69 ft

About This Bridge

US 25 SR 23 carries traffic over BACK SWAMP in Long County, Georgia. Built in 1954, this structure is 72 years old, placing it among the older bridges still in active service. The bridge features concrete construction with a tee beam design, a combination chosen by engineers to meet the specific requirements of this crossing.

Approximately 13,500 vehicles cross this bridge daily, representing moderate traffic volumes typical of important regional connectors. This level of usage requires regular monitoring to ensure continued safe operation. Commercial trucks account for 1% of all crossings. This proportion of commercial traffic is typical for this roadway classification and is factored into the bridge's design load ratings.

The bridge is currently rated in fair condition based on federal inspection criteria established by the Federal Highway Administration. The structure meets current safety standards for its designated use and load capacity. With a total length of 69 feet, this is a shorter span typical of local road crossings, often carrying traffic over small streams, drainage channels, or other roadways.

Concrete bridges offer excellent durability and relatively low maintenance requirements. They resist corrosion well but can develop cracking over time, particularly in regions with freeze-thaw cycles or heavy use of deicing chemicals. Regular inspection focuses on detecting cracks, spalling, and reinforcement corrosion.

Federal law requires that all highway bridges be inspected at least every 24 months by qualified inspectors following the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS). Some bridges with known issues or unusual characteristics may be inspected more frequently. Inspection data is reported to the National Bridge Inventory, a database maintained by the Federal Highway Administration that tracks the condition of all public highway bridges in the United States. This bridge data is sourced from that federal database and reflects the most recent available inspection results.

Condition Ratings

5

Deck Condition

Fair

7

Superstructure

Good

7

Substructure

Good

8

Channel & Protection

Very Good

5

Lowest Rating

Determines condition category

NBI condition ratings range from 0 (failed) to 9 (excellent). Ratings of 4 or below are considered poor. The overall condition category is determined by the lowest individual component rating.

The fair condition rating of 5 indicates some deterioration that warrants monitoring but doesn't affect structural integrity.

For a structure built in 1954, this condition level is expected given the bridge's age and usage patterns.

Bridge Details

Concrete is the primary structural material, which influences maintenance requirements and expected lifespan. The tee beam design was selected based on span requirements, load capacity needs, and site conditions at the time of construction. Maintenance responsibility falls to State Highway Agency.

Construction

Year Built1954
Year Reconstructed1994
MaterialConcrete
Design TypeTee Beam
OwnerState Highway Agency

Dimensions

Total Length69 ft (21.1 m)
Max Span3 ft (1.0 m)
Deck Width4 ft
Deck Area2,661 sq ft

Span dimensions affect structural design choices and load distribution. The deck area of 2,661 sq ft determines surface maintenance scope.

Classification

Route TypeUS Highway
Route Number25
Lanes On Bridge2
Lanes Under Bridge

Status

Toll BridgeNo
Historical SignificanceNot eligible
Scour CriticalU
Detour Length1 mi (2 km)

Traffic Data

Traffic volume data helps engineers assess bridge wear patterns and plan maintenance schedules. Average Daily Traffic (ADT) counts are updated periodically and represent typical weekday usage.

13,500

Avg Daily Traffic (2020)

Vehicles per day crossing this bridge

1%

Truck Traffic

Commercial vehicle percentage

18,585

Projected Future ADT

Estimated future demand

This bridge carries approximately 13,500 vehicles per day, translating to roughly 4,927,500 crossings annually. This moderate traffic level is typical for regional connectors.

Commercial trucks comprise 1% of traffic. Heavy vehicles cause disproportionate wear—a single fully loaded truck can have the impact of thousands of passenger cars on bridge deck surfaces.

Traffic projections estimate future volumes of 18,585 vehicles daily, a 38% increase from current levels. These projections inform capacity planning and potential upgrade requirements.

Load Ratings

Load ratings determine what weight this bridge can safely support. These values are critical for routing heavy vehicles and issuing overweight permits.

Operating Rating

3.4 tons

Maximum allowable load for special permits

Inventory Rating

2.0 tons

Load level for normal traffic

The operating rating of 3.4 tons represents the absolute maximum load this bridge can carry under controlled conditions with special permits. The inventory rating of 2.0 tons is the safe load limit for everyday traffic without restrictions. These relatively low ratings may result in posted weight limits or route restrictions for heavy vehicles.

5-Year Condition Trend

Stable

Condition has remained relatively stable since 2020

Data: 2020-2024 FHWA National Bridge Inventory

Location

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31.756944, -81.845278

Identification

Structure Number000000018300030
NBI IDGA-000000018300030
State FIPS13
County FIPS183

Explore More

Data Source: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Bridge Inventory 2024

Bridge inspection data is typically updated every 24 months. Conditions may have changed since the last inspection.

“Structurally deficient” does not mean a bridge is unsafe or likely to collapse. It indicates that one or more key structural elements are in poor or worse condition. Bridges are inspected regularly and may have load restrictions in place.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used for route clearance or vehicle weight decisions.

US 25 SR 23 over BACK SWAMP | Georgia