Augusta, GA
Augusta traffic continues to build due to Helene’s impact
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Honking horns, long red lights and bumper-to-bumper traffic continue across Augusta.
Now that many are back to normal work schedules, you probably noticed the difference during rush hour traffic.
So, what’s the issue?
The intersection of Walton Way and Fleming Avenue is one of two in Richmond County that still does not have power.
Traffic Engineering says they expect to have the light up and running next week.
Turning the lights on is only the first step to getting traffic moving normally again.
Think about the clocks in your house. Chances are each clock reads a different time.
“That’s the same with traffic signals. We need them all off to run off the same clock, and we use the internet to set the clocks. And so as soon as they’re all on the same time, then we can start coordinating things the way that people are used to,” said John Ussery, assistant director of Traffic Engineering in Augusta.
It’s why you’re sitting at a red light longer than usual.
“We need to reestablish communications with our traffic signals. The reason that’s important is all the traffic signals need to run off the same clock. And if they run off the same clock, then we can get the coordination timing in and some of the adaptive timing back in. The other thing is the video detection needs to be working correctly in order for us to do that,” said Ussery.
CSRA golf courses continue to recover from Helene
Golf courses around the CSRA were not immune to Helene’s impact, changing the field of play in some cases. We were able to get our News 12 drone over the Patch on Thursday to get a firsthand look at all the damage.
Once that’s done, Ussery says, “Roads like Peach Orchard or Washington Road, then they’ll flow better than they do today.”
The volume of traffic on the roads is something Traffic Engineering says is higher than what they normally see this time of year.
“Masters traffic is a good comparison. We’ve just seen a lot of traffic everywhere, even on times that we’re not used to seeing that much traffic. Normally, you see a lot of traffic in the morning when people go to work and in the afternoon when they go home,” he said.
In the meantime, just know it may take a little longer to get to work or to drive home.
“There’s just a lot of people sort of all over the place. The timing does play a part in that but at the same time it’s just the volumes are higher It’s not just the timing,” said Ussery.
Traffic Engineering says their goal is to have the lights running like normal by Christmas.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A traffic stop attempt by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office ended in a rollover crash Friday afternoon after the driver refused to stop, authorities said.
Deputies attempted to stop the red 2017 Honda Civic around 2:22 p.m. on Peach Orchard Road near Mike Padgett Highway, according to the sheriff’s office. The driver continued south on Mike Padgett Highway before traveling east on Marvin Griffin Road, deputies said.
The pursuit ended near Marvin Griffin Road and Doug Barnard Parkway when the driver lost control, went into a ditch and crashed through a fence at the Augusta Water Works Wastewater Treatment Facility, according to authorities. The car overturned.
The driver had visible injuries that were described as non-life-threatening and was taken to a local hospital for treatment, the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities said warrants will be served after the driver is released from the hospital. Charges are expected to include multiple traffic violations, including felony fleeing or attempting to elude and DUI.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – The VA Augusta Healthcare System cut the ribbon on its new emergency ambulance service on Thursday.
The in-house medical transportation program is designed to ensure specialized care for veterans with complex medical needs.
“So we have two new ambulances that we have put into service officially,” said James Doelling, the interim executive director of VA Augusta Healthcare System. “This is for us to be able to, through patient safety and get veterans where they need to be, when they need to be, to make sure we’re given the best care anywhere in our nation’s heroes. We’re really excited. As you are aware, we are the only four star facility in the Augusta area, and this is only going to make us even better and deliver exceptional care to our heroes.”
The VA said it hopes the service will reduce delays and better support veterans.
Photojournalist credit: Dania Alawir
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A driver is in custody after leading Richmond County deputies on a chase that ended in a rollover crash Thursday evening.
Richmond County Sheriff’s Office deputies say they attempted to stop a black BMW sedan with no registration plate on Tubman Home Road at Gordon Highway around 6:30 p.m.
The driver, Willie Junior Brown, 33, failed to stop and led deputies on a pursuit, according law enforcement.
Deputies say Brown lost control of the vehicle on the 2500 block of Blueberry Drive, striking an unoccupied 1999 Chevrolet Silverado.
Brown’s vehicle rolled over and he then attempted to flee on foot before being taken into custody.
Deputies say Brown was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Several criminal charges are forthcoming and the investigation is ongoing.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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