Augusta's Fifth Street pedestrian bridge opening Saturday, just in time for Ironman 70.3

Miguel Legoas, Augusta Chronicle
·2 min read
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A rendering of the Fifth Street Bridge after its conversion to a pedestrian-only thoroughfare running from Augusta to a less-developed area of North Augusta.
A rendering of the Fifth Street Bridge after its conversion to a pedestrian-only thoroughfare running from Augusta to a less-developed area of North Augusta.

The wait is over. Downtown Augusta's Fifth Street pedestrian bridge is officially set to open to the public early Saturday.

City of Augusta spokesperson Danielle Harris on Thursday confirmed the opening. A grand ribbon-cutting celebration is to be scheduled in the weeks to come.

Since its closure in 2020, the bridge has gone through an $11 million renovation, converting it into a new kind of river walk between Augusta and North Augusta. The bridge has been beautified with bright and colorful lighting, artistic shades, plenty of seating and more to enjoy both the river and the walkway itself.

The painted surface of Augusta's Fifth Street bridge bears important dates in the bridge's history. Floods severely damaged the bridge in 1888 and 1929, and the current bridge was completed in 1931, months before its official June 1932 opening.
The painted surface of Augusta's Fifth Street bridge bears important dates in the bridge's history. Floods severely damaged the bridge in 1888 and 1929, and the current bridge was completed in 1931, months before its official June 1932 opening.

Photos: Historic Fifth Street Bridge (6.8.20)

More: Plans progressing to convert bridge to pedestrian, bike only

Residents can also expect access to the Downtown Augusta Wi-Fi on the bridge within the next two or three weeks, according to Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Margaret Woodard. The Wi-Fi equipment is currently being installed on top of the Augusta University building on Broad Street.

The idea for converting the bridge surfaced more than 10 years ago in the downtown Augusta-North Augusta "Westobou" master plan, and the city got the ball rolling on making this dream into a reality in 2019.

This artist's rendering shows how the Fifth Street Bridge might be lighted at night as a linear pedestrian park. The view, from above the Riverwalk Marina, faces South Carolina.
This artist's rendering shows how the Fifth Street Bridge might be lighted at night as a linear pedestrian park. The view, from above the Riverwalk Marina, faces South Carolina.

May 7, 1932: Fifth Street Bridge opens to traffic

More: Confederate heritage remains engraved on Fifth Street bridge

The bridge was closed to traffic in 2020 to allow for construction, and the re-opening date was pushed multiple times over the last year. However, Saturday's opening meets a goal the city had of having the bridge ready for Ironman 70.3 Augusta, which draws a crowd of thousands to the downtown area every year and has a total economic impact of more than $30 million, according to the Augusta Sports Council.

The triathlon kicks off early Sunday, at the Savannah River. For more information, go to ironman.com/im703-augusta.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta's Fifth Street pedestrian bridge opening Saturday