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North Augusta approves engineering contracts for Georgia Avenue improvements, Crestview drainage study
Summary
The North Augusta City Council voted July 21 to authorize professional engineering contracts to begin design and survey work for Georgia Avenue traffic-calming Phase 1 and preliminary engineering for Crestview/Woodland drainage improvements; the Georgia Avenue vote was 6–1 and the drainage vote was unanimous.
North Augusta — The City Council on July 21 authorized two professional services contracts that move the city into the design phase for separate infrastructure projects: Georgia Avenue traffic-calming Phase 1 and preliminary engineering for Crestview/Woodland drainage improvements.
Assistant City Administrator J.D. McCauley told council the Georgia Avenue contract covers survey and design only — "dirt earth will not be moving" — and is intended to produce plans and public engagement before any construction. McCauley estimated the design phase could take about six months and said consultants are working to complete design and construction timelines ahead of a Georgia Avenue bridge project scheduled to start in 2028.
The council approved the Georgia Avenue resolution (Resolution No. 2025-24) by a 6–1 vote. The Crestview/Woodland drainage resolution (Resolution No. 2025-25), which authorizes preliminary engineering to develop remediation schematics, passed unanimously.
Why it matters: the Georgia Avenue work is being scoped as a corridor — McCauley said survey and design will cover the stretch from City Hall up to Jackson Street while capturing adjacent intersections so future projects use consistent survey data. The contractor will host public engagement including a project website and a public information workshop. McCauley said the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and other parties will be involved in the Georgia Avenue work.
On the Crestview/Woodland drainage item, staff said the work responds to a longstanding stormwater need that previously appeared on capital project lists and voter-referenced sales-tax projects. The resolution funds preliminary design from the utility fund; staff said full remediation will require subsequent funding decisions after schematic design identifies scope and cost.
Council discussion and next steps: Councilmembers asked how far the survey and design would extend and whether phase 2 elements (for example, intersections on Forest Avenue) would be included in this contract; McCauley said the team would take a "holistic view" of the corridor so future projects would not rely on different survey data. He reiterated this phase does not authorize construction and that conceptual elements (such as a roundabout) remain subject to later review. McCauley also confirmed the timeline emphasizes completing design and public outreach well before the 2028 bridge project begins.
Votes at a glance: Resolution 2025-24 (Georgia Avenue traffic improvements) — motion moved by Miss Freitas; tally reported as 6 yes, 1 no; outcome: approved. Resolution 2025-25 (Crestview/Woodland drainage preliminary engineering) — motion moved by David Buck, seconded by Pat Carpenter; tally reported as unanimous (yes:7); outcome: approved.
Public engagement and funding: McCauley said the Georgia Avenue consultant will provide a public information workshop and other communications. For the drainage project, staff emphasized that the engineering contract is an initial step and that a funding strategy will be developed once schematics and cost estimates are available.
The council did not authorize construction for either item; both actions fund professional services to complete surveys, designs and public outreach needed to scope future work.
