Master Construction: One Year From Now

Augusta, GA/North Augusta, SC—Orange barrels as far as the eye can see…and backed up traffic to go with it. Throw in Masters week, and you’ve got one big mess.

Michael Miller, North Augusta, SC: “It’s a hassle, there’s no doubt about it.”

Jason Liggins, North Augusta, SC: “It’s very aggravating, this town hasn’t gotten it together yet. If I were a visitor, this town hasn’t gotten together yet, is the impression I would have.”

But have no fear, golf patrons…it may not be like this for long, starting with I-20.

Mike Keene, Georgia Department of Transportation: “Whole different town. Most of the major work that’s going on right now will be completed and no construction happening in those areas. All 6 lanes will be open, the interchange will be open.”

And if you’re coming in from South Carolina, the Highway 25 project will be finished, too.

Liggins: “It will be a lot more appealing.”

Miller: “It’s a little bit of an inconvenience for me. I have to go out of my way. And with the cones and everything, I go out in traffic and get honked at a lot.”

During Masters week, Michael Miller rides his bike to and from the golf club. While riding, he passes one of North Augusta’s latest projects, the new municipal building…another project in the books, come next year.”

Miller: “The construction’s good to see, with the economy, I mean people have jobs and that’s good to know, I come from Vegas and the construction out there has just dropped out of sight.”

And that’s not all…

Barclay Bishop, reporting: “The intersection behind me is one of the main intersections Masters week. Stanley Drive leads to the big parking lot, and of course, the Augusta National Golf Club is right off of Washington Road. Alexander Drive will have a huge widening project, by next year, making it easier for traffic to flow to I-20.”

It’ll also be smooth sailing down St. Sebastian Way, come next spring…a direct shot to downtown Augusta from Riverwatch Parkway. And finally: Augusta’s new library should be ready…for those days when weather on the course isn’t up to par.

Miller: “It’s good to see the work going on, I’m just happy to see people working, but I’ll be glad when it’s done.”

And for those who live in the CSRA, throughout the year, there’s good news, the interchange project is way ahead of schedule. Originally slated to be finished July of 2010, they now predict it’ll be complete by the end of October.

Augusta’s next big DOT project will be widening Bobby Jones Expressway from Gordon Highway to Deans Bridge Road.