Commission asks staff to study adding left-turn signal and lane changes on Augusta Avenue

Commissioners discussed chronic congestion and safety concerns at the Augusta Avenue and Albany intersection and asked staff to evaluate the feasibility and cost of adding a left-turn signal or alternate remedies such as a four-way stop or police traffic control. An engineer-collected estimate shared with the board ranged from about $30,000 to $150,000 depending on whether cabinet upgrades and hardware replacements would be required.

"I asked the engineer if they can kinda give me an estimate, but I haven't heard back from them yet...it can be from anywhere from 30,000 to a 150,000," a staff member told the board, urging commissioners to allow staff to gather formal estimates and consider SPLOST or LRA funding if costs exceed available budget. Commissioners also directed staff to examine whether widening portions of Augusta Avenue (to 11-foot lanes) should be part of longer-term planning related to an upcoming bridge project.

Why it matters: The intersection experiences regular congestion and could see higher traffic when an adjacent bridge project diverts trucks and regional traffic; an engineered solution would affect capital budgets and construction sequencing.

Next steps: Staff to request formal engineering estimates, explore funding sources (LRA and SPLOST), and return with cost and scope recommendations.