North Augusta Residents Notice Different Cleanup Speeds
As winter settles in, the city of North Augusta, South Carolina, is buzzing about the ongoing cleanup efforts following the recent storms. Many residents are excited about the progress they’re seeing, especially along popular spots like the city’s Greeneway, where contractors have been busy cutting down trees. But not everyone in the city is feeling quite as optimistic. Some neighborhoods are sitting in the slow lane when it comes to debris removal, and that has folks scratching their heads.
What’s Causing the Delay?
If your street hasn’t seen a contractor in what feels like ages, you’re not alone! Mayor Briton Williams explained the reason behind the uneven pace of cleanup efforts. A whopping 75% of roads in North Augusta are actually owned by the South Carolina Department of Transportation. This means the city can suggest where they’d like contractors to focus, but they don’t have direct authority over how quickly—or where—those contractors operate.
The mayor pointed out that North Augusta itself owns around 25 miles of roads within city limits. “We are currently making great progress,” said Mayor Williams. “As of now, we are about 80% complete on our first pass.” He further elaborated that the city’s goal is to finish up the initial cleanup phase by the end of January.
Community Reactions
Residents in neighborhoods like Hammond Hill are relieved to see work being done. “That’s exciting to hear,” said local resident Jean Knight. “We’re all very thankful, but we’re just trying to be patient. We don’t want anyone getting hurt while they’re out picking things up.”
The cleanup process consists of city crews collecting smaller debris and contractors handling larger logs. Meanwhile, a separate company named R&R has been designated specifically for tree cutting along the Greeneway, making it a bit of a patchwork job when it comes to cleanup.
Mayor Williams Understands the Frustration
Mayor Williams empathizes with residents like you who are waiting for the clear-up crews to arrive. “My road still has not had my debris picked up, so I get it,” he shared candidly. To keep things moving, city officials passed an ordinance that allows contractors to work seven days a week, from sunup to sundown. While they originally planned to give crews Thanksgiving off, he noted that it’s just been such an overwhelming task that the cleanup will likely take several more months.
What Can Residents Do?
One key thing for residents to remember is that contractors are only able to pick up vegetative debris. This means if you’ve got any manmade items laying around, it’s best to gather those into a separate pile. It’s all about helping to streamline the process!
If you’re curious about the specific ownership of roads in your area, or want to catch up on what the city has accomplished so far, be sure to check out the Hurricane Helene Recovery tab on the official city website.
Keeping Spirits High
With cold weather in the air—temperatures are dipping to around 33°F at night—residents are advised to stay warm and be patient. The forecast may be sunny with the temperature reaching a high of 54°F during the day, yet cleanup efforts remind us of the lasting impact that storms can have.
So hang in there, North Augusta! With a diligent city team and the help of contractors, your neighborhood will soon be back on track. Just remember, good things take time!
