Dear Editor,
As I continue to navigate the process in which the Augusta-Richmond government operates, I have been increasingly concerned as to who is responsible for the infrastructure projects currently ripping through the downtown area.
My concern stems from the fact that, due to the location of my residence, I am bound to travel fifth street daily. And each day that I have to travel fifth street, I am unwillingly playing dodge ball with traffic because the edge of the sidewalks have been shredded, forcing pedestrians and bikers to utilize the area of the roadway reserved for vehicles.
This has been going on for months now. I’ve witnessed crews tear up one area of the sidewalk then move to a different location on 5th street without fully completing the work at the area they’ve already butchered.
Again, I do not know who is ultimately responsible for granting contracts to the construction companies tearing up downtown Augusta, but I will add that some of these drivers do not slow or stop for pedestrians or bikers. There have been several times that, had I not effectively weaved, I would have been leveled by a vehicle.
There really needs to be more communication with the public as to when these projects are expected to be completed. Otherwise, it just seems like these crews have milked the Augusta-Richmond County government for infrastructure funds without any real consideration of completing the job in a timely fashion.
Lawrence A. Brannen
The Justice-Impacted Reformation Society Inc.
