AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A proposal to build a new roundabout at the intersection of McDowell Street and Monte Sano Avenue is drawing concerns from neighbors who live and worship nearby. 

The project would sit between St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church and Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church.

On Wednesday evening, a packed meeting room heard updates from city officials and consultants as residents voiced their worries about how the project could affect the neighborhood. Many said pedestrian safety is their top concern.

John Scherer, who is a chairman at St. Mary on the Hill, said the intersection is heavily used by families, church members, and surrounding businesses.

“The biggest concern we have is pedestrian safety. There are so many people who traverse this intersection every day, not just us, but businesses here. It’s a neighborhood,” said Scherer.

Augusta’s District 3 Commissioner Catherine Smith-Rice says she has seen few accidents at the intersection and does not believe changes are needed.

“I want to see us going back to GDOT, the Georgia Department of Transportation and nixing this one, if the project takes a year longer,” she said.

“You just heard the residents tonight, they’re fine with that. They don’t want the roundabout and they don’t want it. I don’t want it.” 

Steve Cassell of Infrastructure Systems Management is working with the City of Augusta to explore a single-lane roundabout design for the intersection.

Director of Engineering Dr. Hameed Malik said construction could begin after the Masters Tournament in 2027 if the project moves forward.

“So right now we are planning to use all the money we have. Any money left will go back to the state. The money cannot be allocated to any other project,” Malik said.

The roundabout is expected to cost between $7 million and $7.5 million.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A 55-year-old man has died after a crash in Augusta, authorities said Wednesday.

The Richmond County Coroner’s Office has identified the victim has Larry Tesseo, of Augusta.

Coroner Mark Bowen said the crash happened Tuesday when Tesseo was operating an electric scooter while crossing Peach Orchard Road at Harding Road.

Tesseo was then was struck by a southbound pickup, according to officials.

Tesseo was transported to Wellstar MCG hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:50 p.m.

The coroner’s office says he died due to his injuries from the crash.

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AUGUSTA, GA (WJBF)- The Augusta women’s volleyball team earned the number 6 seed in the NCAA Southeast Region Tournament.

It’s the eighth time in program history that au will be making the trip to the NCAA Tournament. They’ll be playing against the three seeded Anderson Trojans. It’ll also be the first ever matchup between the two programs.

Augusta is heading into this matchup 25-8 on the season, and 12-3 in Peach Belt Conference play.

“I think during practice right now, we’ve been focusing on the little things that we’ve been struggling with all year and really emphasizing them,” said senior Lauren Posa.
“This could be our last game in playing for each other and focusing on making our serves during tough times.”

The match is set for Thursday at 11 a.m. in Wingate, North Carolina.