The South Carolina Department of Transportation will open for bid a project to improve the U.S. Highway 1/River North Drive interchange within the next two weeks, North Augusta officials said Monday.
The $2.3 million project would provide entrance and exit ramps at the interchange for both northbound and southbound U.S. 1 traffic, transportation officials have said.
Designs for the project do not include a vehicular tie-in to the Fifth Street bridge. Augusta and North Augusta officials have said the aging bridge could be closed to cars and limited to pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
The project has been stalled by a lack of funding and previous bid solicitations failed to generate qualified bids.
Recently, the Aiken County Council approved $800,000 for the project that, when combined with about $1.5 million from the federal government, restores full funding to the project.
North Augusta City Administrator Sam Bennett said the project could include some beautification of the gateway into city.
