Augusta, GA
Georgia Transportation Officials Say Interstate Between Columbus And Augusta Isn’t A Good Deal
Georgia motorists looking for a faster way to get across the state between Columbus and Augusta will have to wait a long time – if ever – for a solution.
A newly released study of options for moving freight through Georgia by the state Department of Transportation (DOT) has concluded that a plan to build the Peach State’s first interstate highway since the 1960s would not be a good return on investment.
Traffic projections show the proposed Interstate 14 likely would carry only an average of 3,000 trucks per day, well below the average daily flow of 11,000 to 18,000 trucks on Georgia’s existing interstates.
“I-14 demonstrated moderate benefits, including reduced congestion costs … and a decrease in vehicle hours of delay,” according to the report. “However, it is not projected to yield the same degree of positive impacts as other interstate highway projects such as I-75, I-20, I-95, and segments of I-16, especially considering the project’s initial cost estimate of more than $5 billion.”
Interstate 14 has its share of backers. The $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill Congress passed in 2021 includes a provision designating the highway as a “high-priority corridor” that would run through five states from Texas through Georgia, connecting many of the Deep South’s military bases and ports.
On the state level, Georgia’s General Assembly passed a resolution back in 2019 supporting construction of the Georgia portion of I-14, picking up at the Alabama line at Columbus and extending to the South Carolina line in Augusta.
“It would be highly convenient for us in that part of the state,” said state Sen. Ed Harbison, D-Columbus, who sponsored the resolution. “When you come into Columbus from the west, you have to go almost to Atlanta to get to Augusta.”
But building interstate highways isn’t what it used to be. Funding for the original interstate construction program then-President Dwight Eisenhower launched during the 1950s ran out more than two decades ago, said Don Rodman, administrator of the Texas-based Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition, which has worked for years to secure funding for the western portion of the I-14 corridor.
“These days, interstates cost about $30 million a mile,” Rodman said. “For I-14 in Texas, that’s about $30 billion. Nobody has that kind of money.”
Plagued by such high cost estimates, only about 25 miles of I-14 have been built in Texas. But even that’s more than has been constructed in any of the other four states along the route.
Rodman said he envisions I-14 as a multi-generational project.
“We’re probably talking about 100 projects along the I-14 route,” he said. “You build them incrementally. … The cheaper ones and the priority ones are the ones you build first.”
Harbison said he is concerned about the findings in the Georgia DOT study. He said the ability to connect military bases across the five states – from Fort Bliss in Texas to Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning) near Columbus and Fort Eisenhower (formerly Fort Gordon) near Augusta would be particularly beneficial.
“I believe it has value … and will have a more positive impact than they’re projecting,” Harbison said.
The good news for Harbison and other I-14 backers is that the DOT isn’t giving up on the project completely.
“Because the I-14 project shows some benefit under the KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), a corridor study to further evaluate its feasibility would enable a more comprehensive understanding of the construction practicalities … as well as more specific project costs,” the report stated.
“I don’t understand why it would not be feasible,” Harbison said. “Given the benefit, I would encourage us to take another look at it.”
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Salvation Army of Augusta’s Red Kettle Campaign is working to close a $100,000 gap before Christmas Eve.
With just 11 days left in the 2025 Red Kettle Campaign, the Salvation Army of Augusta is urging the community to rally together.
The Red Kettle Campaign is the largest fundraiser of the year for The Salvation Army.
The campaign funds programs and services that support neighbors in need throughout the entire year.
Every penny donated through the Red Kettles stays in the Augusta area, ensuring local impact.
Proceeds from the campaign directly support the Center of Hope. In addition to providing a safe place to sleep, the Center of Hope operates a soup kitchen that serves approximately 200 meals every day.
In the past year, the Salvation Army has assisted more than 900 local residents through its rent and utility assistance program.
“The Red Kettle represents so much more than a simple donation—it represents hope for families right here in our community,” said Major Jonathan Raymer, Area Commander for The Salvation Army of Augusta.
“Every dollar dropped into the kettle helps provide shelter, meals, case management, and stability for our neighbors who need it most. With just days left in this campaign, we are asking the CSRA to show up in a big way.”
The Salvation Army of Augusta is encouraging community members to donate when they see a Red Kettle. For those who are cashless, donations can be made online at donateaugusta.org.
If you would like to volunteer for the Red Kettle Campaign, visit ringforhope.org.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Homeless Task Force held its last meeting of the year with leaders from the largest services for the homeless population in Augusta attending.
The room was full of people from organizations that serve the homeless community. As they finished their final meeting of 2025, leaders discussed some of the biggest issues they’re facing.
“Collaborate more, our people benefit when we do that,” said Nomi Stanton, chair of the task force and executive director of GAP Ministries.
The group focused on the upcoming PIT count, keeping the community safe in cold weather, and finding funding in 2026 to keep helping the people they serve.
“It’s what we do to take care of each other. And we want to make sure that all of our neighbors are recognized,” Stanton said.
Brittany Burnett, president and CEO of United Way, addressed funding challenges facing the community.
“We haven’t had the funds that our community deserves, and we’re trying to turn that around now,” Burnett said.
As the weather gets colder, services focus on getting information out about warming centers that help keep the homeless population safe in cold temperatures, including May Park, which is open overnight.
Services like those the United Way offers are important in the winter.
“Unfortunately, for some kids in our community, they go to school first to eat, second to learn. And so when you have a holiday break, then you take out two big components, eating and learning are both not available,” Burnett said.
As they look to continue helping people in the community who need them most, leaders emphasized the importance of working together.
“In this room, it allows us all to come together. That makes us stronger, but in like the best, most loving way,” Stanton said.
Leaders said that as the face of homelessness changes, they continue to expand their services and ways to help.
The homeless task force meetings are open to the community. Their next meeting will be in January.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Richmond County deputies are looking for a woman wanted in connection to a shooting incident in November.
Deputies say 37-year-old Evita Nicole Dozier is wanted for aggravated assault after a shooting on November 23 around 9:34 p.m.
The shooting incident happened on the 2700 block of Brenda Court.
Deputies say while on scene, they learned two woman were involved in a verbal altercation that turned physical.
During the physical altercation, a gun was pulled out with one of the females, shooting the other at least one time, according to deputies.
Deputies say Dozier should be considered armed and dangerous.
She is known to frequent the 900 block of Wrightsboro Road and change her hairstyle and hair color, according to deputies.
Dozier has active arrest warrants on file for this incident, deputies say.
If you have any information, call the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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