Olive Road Set to Reopen After Lengthy Closure in Augusta
After weeks of anticipation and some frustration, the well-traveled Olive Road in Augusta is officially set to reopen this Wednesday. The thoroughfare had been off-limits for longer than many residents can recall, due to repairs to the railroad bridge that notoriously sits at a low height.
A History of Challenges
This bridge has a reputation for being a headache for truck drivers who sometimes misjudge its height, despite ample warnings posted along the road. The city’s traffic engineering team made the difficult decision not to reopen Olive Road right away after CSX, the railroad company, completed their work back in May. However, city leaders believe it is time to let traffic flow again.
“There’s been ongoing conversations with CSX over the last couple of months,” said John Ussery, Assistant Director of Augusta Traffic Engineering. “That is one of the reasons for the delay. Anytime you deal with the railroad, they’re a big company with a complex regulatory process, and that can slow things down.”
New Measures in Place
To prevent future incidents where trucks collide with the bridge, the city is introducing an innovative solution: an elevated horizontal bar adorned with tubes that hang at the same height as the bridge. These tubes will alert drivers by being struck before allowing their vehicles to hit the bridge. Traffic Engineering anticipates installing this device in the next 60 days.
“Based on conversations with other cities, we expect this new warning system to work about 70% of the time,” Ussery added, emphasizing that they are doing their best to keep drivers safe.
Community Feedback and Safety Concerns
The reopening of Olive Road has generated mixed feelings within the community. Some residents express satisfaction, expressing a desire to see the road returned to normal for the sake of convenience while others have voiced skepticism.
“There is no reassurance this device would be safer than anything else,” remarked Augusta Commission member Alvin Mason, reflecting the doubts some officials share. But Mason also understands the importance of the road to the community, stating, “We can’t allow what the few are doing to impact the many.”
A significant reason for the unease is the fact that more than 30 warning devices have already been installed to alert drivers of the bridge’s height, yet incidents continue to occur.
Other Developments on the Horizon
As Augusta gears up for the reopening of Olive Road, discussions are also underway for the upcoming Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival, which is set to kick off Friday along Broad Street. Local preparations for the event have already started, showcasing the city’s commitment to community engagement.
Additionally, a proposal to establish a veterans cemetery in Augusta is being pushed forward. Bob Young and Don Clark recently addressed the commission to discuss the need for funding to facilitate the construction of the long-planned project. They pointed out that the state would cover maintenance costs, while SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) funds could be allocated for construction.
Honoring Heroes
“I would hate to see five years of work go to waste, as a veteran myself,” Mason lamented. He called on the commission to dedicate $13 million in SPLOST funds for the cemetery’s construction. “We have land that’s set aside; we should be able to take advantage of this opportunity.”
Commissioner Catherine Smith McKnight expressed her support for the cemetery project, highlighting that “we should honor those that served.”
As the city navigates these important issues, it’s clear that the reopening of Olive Road is just one piece of the bigger picture in Augusta, which is focused on improving the quality of life for its residents and honoring the sacrifices of its veterans.
