The Augusta Commission’s Engineering Committee agreed to accept $500,000 offered by the Georgia Department of Transportation for a new pedestrian bridge in the Village at Riverwatch area to give greater access to the Augusta Canal Heritage Area.
Rep. Mark Newton, R-Augusta, has worked on the project for two years attempting to secure the GDOT funds to pave an area between Bass Pro Shops and Top Golf as part of an overall plan to greatly expand access to the recreation areas of the Augusta Canal and Savannah River Corridor.
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Newton says the overall plan will include a parking lot area just down from Bass Pro Shops, a raised boardwalk through the wetland area and a foot/bike bridge over the canal.
The plan would give immediate canal access to residents of the nearly 1,200 apartments in the area as well as people who would like to go for a stroll before dining or shopping at the Village at Riverwatch.
“This accomplishes three things. It will give access to areas like the Clearing on the Rapids on the Savannah river without having to walk or bike for miles. It puts an already established recreation area within walking distance of shops and restaurants and creates another recreational link between Columbia County, west Augusta and downtown,” Newton said.
Newton envisions the entirety of the seven mile canal waterway to one day be a ‘giant linear park’ offering outdoor recreation access points throughout the CSRA.
The entire cost of the proposal is estimated to be $1.3 million to $3 million, depending on final plans. Newton says he favors building a specialized concrete boardwalk through the wetland area and that might cost more money than a standard wood structure.
“It will cost more, but it is low maintenance. It can be produced in a way that it blends in with the scenery and it is much more permanent than wood,” Newton said.
The full Augusta Commission must still vote on whether to ask for the money from GDOT, which will only pay for the roadway needed to create foot and bike access.
The good news is that accessways are all that is needed, as there is already a comfort station at the Clearing on the Savannah Rapids and the grounds are meticulously maintained by the Canal Authority.
“You and your kids can take off your shoes and wade or let your dog play in the sandy shoreline, and you are less than a half a mile away from your car,” Newton said.
Newton says that for the overall plan to work, the public sector needs to get involved to help raise the rest of the funding needed.
“I believe that the business sector can embrace this idea, not only the benefit it adds to the community, but also the potential for economic growth and help raise the funding to make it a reality,” Newton said.
Tyler Snead, executive director for the Augusta Canal Authority, says he is excited about the plans and that his office looks forward to helping bring it to fruition.
“Representative Newton has shown some really great leadership in getting this ball rolling and having the vision to make the Augusta Canal accessible while also preserving the natural beauty we literally have in our backyard,” Snead said.
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson says that he fully supports Newton and the Canal Authorities plans, adding that his office has been involved offering support.
“The Augusta Canal and the area around it is our crown jewel and we are being given the opportunity to make the experience of enjoying it even better. Expanding access to these areas of the Garden City is a win-win overall,” Johnson said.
Scott Hudson is the Senior Investigative Reporter and Editorial Page Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach him at scott@theaugustapress.com
