Whiskey Road project finally starting to see some movement
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - In recent years, Whiskey Road has been associated with traffic, but a connector project nearly two decades in the making could help.
Whiskey Road is said to be a headache for many, but the city says with this project traffic can be reduced by 18%.
A project first designed in 2006, now finally starting to see some movement.
“This is a powerhouse connector project,” said Stuart Bedenbaugh, Aiken city manager. “The purpose of this road is to alleviate traffic.”
Phase one will connect South Centennial Avenue to Whiskey Road at East Gate Drive and phase two will then connect East Gate Drive with Powderhouse Road.
This allows drivers to avoid the busiest sections of Whiskey Road.
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“It’s terrible. I hate to have to go back outside when I get home to come downtown,” said Jeanette Fleming, Aiken County resident. “It gets to be nightmarish.”
Whiskey Road is one of the busiest roads in Aiken.
“Almost 40,000 cars a day travel on that road,” said Bedenbaugh.
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However, the city is hoping this plan will help relieve traffic and headaches.
“I do welcome the project when it is started and when it’s completed,” said Fleming. “I’m looking forward to that day.”
It’s a multi-million dollar project, with multiple phases.
“Right now, we estimate to be $35 million,” said Bedenbaugh. “We’ve got funding from both local, state and federal sources.”
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But Bedenbaugh says all the hard work will pay off.
“The end goal will be very worthwhile to our citizens and visitors who have to travel on that part of Whiskey Road,” said Bedenbaugh.
The first phase will be ready to bid out later this month and construction is set to start in March 2025.
It is expected to take two years to complete the first phase, but they say they will be concurrently working on phases one and two.
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