Augusta leaders inch forward on adding trail, pedestrian bridge at Augusta Canal
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A new bridge could be coming to give you a new access point to the Augusta Canal trail.
The Augusta Commission is exploring the possibility of budgeting money to go toward a new pedestrian bridge and trail off of Riverwatch Parkway.
Commissioners heard Tuesday from Rep. Mark Newton, who presented a Georgia Department of Transportation bridge project from the Augusta Canal to Riverwatch Parkway.
Newton is not just looking at a bridge but a 200-foot clearing that comes with the bridge for parking.
GDOT is able to chip in $500,000, but Newton says depending on what finally gets approved, he wants to fundraise for a project total of $1 million to $2 million.
The matter was sent to the full commission.
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The new additions could go next to the Residence at Riverwatch apartment complex. This will look to become the first connecting area off of Riverwatch Parkway to the canal trail.
Right now, options for access points are Eisenhower Park, Lake Olmstead and the Savannah Rapids Park for the 10-mile path.
People using the trail are all for more options. This includes Emma Vukovich and Caroline Fowler, who use the trail at least once a week to run, walk and picnic.
“We moved here about four years ago and this is definitely one of our favorite spots to come to,” said Fowler.
They park at Eisenhower Park and go to their favorite area which takes a mile to get to.
With a new bridge, their favorite spot would be right next to where the bridge could be, making picnicking a better experience.
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“We can bring a lot more than just a couple of snacks out there. We can bring coolers for our picnic so make it definitely more accessible to the public, because it’s definitely the better spot one of the best spots on the canal my favorite spot. It’ll be easier to access,” said Fowler.
ight now, they drive farther to get to a better access point, but that still leaves them with a mile hike.
Vukovich said: “We actually live close to the Olmstead entrance, but it’s super far to get to the more picturesque areas.”
They think if this bridge is built, more people from out of town would make the trip to use the Augusta Canal.
“It’ll bring more people out there. It will draw people to Augusta more even because I think it is one of the most pretty spots but like older people and people who don’t want to walk as far can’t get to it,” said Vukovich.
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