Connect with us

Augusta, GA

‘Olive’ those crashes … and still no solutions for infamous bridge

Published

on

‘Olive’ those crashes … and still no solutions for infamous bridge


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – With dozens of signs and warnings, the infamous Olive Road bridge seems to be a dangerous lure for drivers.

Despite countless inspections from CSX and the city, no one wants to raise the overpass due to costs.

When you hear Olive Road, you probably think of the bridge falling victim to another box truck. Some of the drivers and the families that live nearby have ideas on how to fix this headache, but the city says it’s not that easy.

It’s happened too many times to count.

Advertisement

PREVIOUS ACCIDENTS AT OLIVE ROAD BRIDGE:

“We’re really a little disappointed at this point,” said John Ussery, Assistant Director of Traffic Engineering.

Some would even say it happens “olive” the time.

“We just kind of keep going through this same routine at this point,” said Ussery.

Ussery says at this point there’s not much more they can do.

Advertisement

So, this Olive Road bridge will continue to be “a headache.”

Social media is suggesting hanging something above the road, right before the bridge so if drivers hit that they’ll know their vehicles are too tall to fit.

“I’m very much against hanging something in the road because as soon as I do … it becomes Augusta’s responsibility and if somebody strikes that pipe or whatever we hang in the road it becomes our liability and our problem,” said Ussery.

What about closing the road off?

“If we closed it, there would only be one way in and one way out if we did close it,” said Ussery.

Advertisement

Emergency vehicles would take more time to get to where they need to go.

“At this point, there’s not a whole lot more that we can do,” he said.

That’s because the railroad controls the bridge and the road under it.

“The local government and Augusta have very little say in what they do and what they can and can’t do. even the state government has little say in what they can and can’t do. They’re sort of off by themselves regulated by the highest level of government,” said Ussery.

Augusta Traffic Engineering workers says they’re working with CSX on a solution and have had talks about what to do, but no plans have been made.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Augusta, GA

13th Street construction continues as projects fail brick by brick

Published

on

13th Street construction continues as projects fail brick by brick


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – If you drive in downtown Augusta near the 13th Street bridge, you’ve likely dealt with the construction traffic as part of Augusta’s beautification.  

Brick-in-laid crosswalks were recently finished, and while they look great, they didn’t last long. 

John Ussery, assistant director of traffic, says they have already fixed some of the crosswalks on Telfair Street and 13th and Greene Street. 

Now, they are making their way down to Jones Street, and he says they’re almost done with the project — again.  

Advertisement

“I’m driving. I’m like, “Yay, good job, guys.” And I hit this bump in the road, and I was like, “Where did this bump come from? It’s a perfectly good road,’” said Jesse Cheadle, who drives in Augusta.

Just when residents thought they saw the light at the end of the tunnel, crews are back out again. 

“I’m looking at it and the brick had literally been broken. And coming into the road,” said Cheadle. 

In October, the city installed brick sidewalks at the intersection of 13th Street and Jones Street. 

They said the construction would take about two weeks. 

Advertisement

“It’s frustrating because it’s such a high-volume area,” said Cheadle. 

But now, three months later, they’re starting over. 

Hillcrest Farms after Hurricane Helene

“They laid the brick in there loosely. What did they think was gonna happen?” said Cheadle. 

Ussery says they are having to redo all of the brick sidewalks because the contractor decided to try a different technique than what the manufacturer had suggested. 

But this time around, they’re following the recommendation. 

“Well, you had one job and you failed,” said Cheadle. 

Advertisement

Cheadle says he’s hoping it’s all done soon because it’s not just about convenience, but also safety. 

“That ambulance needs to get to a hospital in a timely manner. They don’t have time to go around I-20. They don’t have time to go around Gordon Highway,” said  

Luckily, the city says they do not have to pay for them to fix the crosswalks this time around. 



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Augusta, GA

‘We need help’: Ga. airport underfunding could hinder expansions

Published

on

‘We need help’: Ga. airport underfunding could hinder expansions


ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – Municipal airports across South Georgia could see improvements paused or canceled because of a lack of funding from federal and state officials.

Regional Airports need $83.5 million per year for improvement projects, but Albany, Valdosta, Savannah, Augusta, Macon, Brunswick, and Columbus only receive $16 million from the FAA and $2.8 million from the state.

Airports outside of Atlanta are receiving the shorter end of the stick when it comes to federal and state funding. Airport officials say that they hope that with more grant funding and the expansion of a few projects, it will increase more revenue right here in the Good Life City.

“If we don’t improve our infrastructure and our facilities, we will continue to lose our business aviation to other states. Some of the other states are receiving anywhere from 30 to 80 million dollars worth of funds, where we’re getting around 19 to support 7 airports outside of Atlanta and that’s a challenge,” officials say.

Advertisement
Colonial Pipeline leak Paulding County

In Albany, the airport has upcoming projects to bring bigger planes, more commercial flights, and Cargo airplanes to the city. But with the lack of funding, the completion of that project is at risk.

“We’re looking at a runway extension which will be a huge project over 100 million dollars and funding has not been identified for that project. So where would we get that money? Well, we need the Federal Administration and the State of Georgia to give us more support,” officials say.

While officials say the airport needs some improvements, passengers say they love the convenience of being able to travel right outside their backyard.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Augusta, GA

North Augusta Baseball gets one last swing at Riverview Park

Published

on

North Augusta Baseball gets one last swing at Riverview Park


AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – We’re just under two months away from baseball season and this year will be a bittersweet one for North Augusta’s baseball and softball teams.

While many players would much rather play at a brand-new facility, Riverview Park has been home to the Yellowjackets for a long time now.

After this season, however, North Augusta will finally have a new place to call home.

But, they will have one more chance to close out a phenomenal season before transitioning to the new stadium next year.

Advertisement

You’ve seen the construction and you can see the vision.

In just a few more months, across the street from North Augusta High School will be two brand-new facilities.

The newest home of the Yellowjackets baseball and softball teams.

“It’s a chance to have something that is ours,” said Lynn. “Our own atmosphere at school. It’s going to be exciting.”

The over $8 million project was slated to be completed ahead of this year’s season, but after multiple delays like the impact of Hurricane Helene and just how big of a project it truly is, the facilities are still several months from being ready for play.

Advertisement

In the event construction concludes as originally planned, Head Coach Kevin Lynn says the team has no plans to move fields in the middle of their 2025 season.

“I don’t want to have summer ball starting there, I want our kids to start a regular season there,” said Lynn. I want them to open the season up and have a true home opener.”

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) looks on during pre-game warm-ups before an...

The good news is, nothing about this year will feel different for the team.

The Yellowjackets have called Riverview Park home for over 40 years and they’ll get one more chance to send it out with a grand slam.”I grew up watching my brother play here and many people before him, so being able to play here one last time feels really good.”

“I’d like to go out on a high note and finish up strong here. Our goal is to win all of our games at home since we play here all the time and know the layout more than anybody else. It’d be nice to accomplish those goals in our last season.”

Lynn’s team will open up on the road against Strom Thurmond on Feb. 11.

Advertisement

The Yellowjackets are 40 and 40 under Lynn as head coach.

It’s hard to believe we’re almost to baseball season, before we know it we’ll be talking about the Masters.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending