A Georgia counties organization has recognized Augusta’s renovation of the Fifth Street bridge with an award.
The Association County Commissioners Georgia presented Augusta officials with a 2023 “Georgia County Excellence” award at a Savannah conference April 29.
After it repeatedly failed structural testing, the Augusta Commission voted to convert the 1932 structure to a pedestrian-only bridge. The 1,201-foot bridge reopened last fall with a $11 million-plus makeover and now features benches, shade structures, public art and interactive musical activities for children.
The commission also voted last year to rename the bridge the “Freedom Bridge” and remove relics of its former identity as the Jefferson Davis Memorial Bridge.
“The Freedom Bridge offers a great opportunity to continue to grow Augusta. It’s a new shining beacon of light in our downtown,” Mayor Garnett Johnson said Tuesday. “I’m excited about the project. I can’t wait to have a grand opening ribbon cutting.”
Commissioners Stacy Pulliam and Tony Lewis along with Interim Administrator Takiyah Douse accepted the award from ACCG. Pulliam said Friday she was “super proud” of the bridge project.
City officials praised Hameed Malik, the director of Engineering and Environmental Services, for his work on the project, which was funded by 1% Transportation Investment Act sales-tax funds. Other community partners included Augusta Downtown Development Authority, Augusta Tomorrow, Greater Augusta Arts Council and Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, the city said in a statement.
ACCG honored six counties with the 2023 excellence award, given in partnership with Georgia Trend Magazine for “innovative county programs that meet the identified and specific needs of residents in those communities.” The award comes with a feature spotlight in the magazine’s June issue.
Fishing is prohibited at the bridge, but it’s become popular with walkers, runners and cyclists. It extends from Augusta’s Riverwalk across the Savannah River and connects via a gravel path and Shoreline Drive to SRP Park and the North Augusta Greeneway.
Renaming the bridge didn’t sit well with a group of descendants of Confederate soldiers, although plaques and signs commemorating Davis remain intact. Davis served as president of the Confederacy.
The group sued the city in December. Their lawsuit remains on hold while plaintiffs amend their complaint to reflect 2020 changes in Georgia’s law concerning sovereign immunity.
