Work is set to begin in June to transform the historic 5th Street Bridge into a public park and pedestrian walkway spanning the Savannah River.
For decades, city leaders have discussed the fate of the obsolete bridge and finally decided to transform the bridge into an extension of Riverwalk rather than bring in the wrecking ball.
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According to Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Sue Parr, voters approved funding for the project through the Transportation Special Purpose Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) back in 2012.
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- Staff photo of Fifth street bridge, May 2021.
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- Staff photo of 5th street bridge, May 2021.
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- Staff photo of Fifth street bridge, May 2021.
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- Staff photo of 5th street bridge, May 2021.
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- Staff photo of Fifth street bridge, May 2021.
“The plan is to make the bridge a destination. It won’t be just a stretch of asphalt, but will have unique spaces for people to enjoy,” Parr said.
Green spaces and seating areas will be added and a lighted median will replace the old yellow lane markers. Visitors will also be able to plug in their cell phones at any of the several charging stations along the bridge.
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The 1930s era railings will be preserved and strengthened with a cable safety railing system and colored lights will be added underneath the bridge to add to the evening ambiance. A walkway and stairs will connect the bridge to the marina and Riverwalk for easy access.
According to Historic Augusta President Eric Montgomery, the area where the current bridge spans the Savannah River has a long history dating back to 1790 when the first bridge was constructed. President George Washington used the bridge in May of 1791 when he visited Augusta as part of his tour of the 13 newly-formed states.
At the time, the Savannah River was still prone to flooding and Montgomery said that the original bridge was washed away. The original structure would be replaced in 1813 by the man who founded the town of Hamburg.
“Henry Shultz built the replacement bridge to connect Augusta with his settlement of Hamburg. In fact, the hill on the South Carolina side was known as Shultz Hill,” Montgomery said.
The Shultz-era bridge didn’t last long either and by the time President Taft came to Augusta in 1912 for a memorial ceremony for his friend Archibald Butt, who died on the Titanic, there was no bridge that spanned the river other than the railroad bridge. Taft and his automobile, likely a 1909 Pierce Arrow, the first presidential motorcar, had to be ferried across the river on his way to dedicate, ironically, the Butt Memorial Bridge that still spans the Augusta Canal.
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The current bridge was constructed in the early 1930s, according to Montgomery.
Future plans call for adding more features such as a zipline, but that would require cooperation with the city of North Augusta, which has not announced any plans for development on the South Carolina side of the river. However, Parr is optimistic that North Augusta leaders will see the potential once the bridge restoration is complete.
“I know they are watching what we are doing and hopefully they will develop some ideas and work with us to make it an even better destination,” she said.
Parr is also not concerned about parking, noting that there are spaces at the marina, Riverwalk and the Reynolds Street garage.
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“People who come downtown for outdoor recreation are used to parking and then walking. I just don’t see parking as an issue,” Parr said.
The remodeling for the bridge is set to begin in June and the engineering department hopes to have the project finished by this time next year.
Scott Hudson is the Managing Editor of The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com.
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