Augusta closing in on having all traffic signals operational

AUGUSTA, Ga, (WJBF) – Traffic is seeing red again at the intersection of Skinner Mill and Walton Way Extension, after the first estimate said it wouldn’t be on until after Thanksgiving.

“I don’t want to think if we wouldn’t have had the light during the holiday season, it’s such a major corridor whether you’re going to the Augusta Mall, the Augusta Exchange, it’s a cross through from Richmond County to get back to Columbia County,” said Commissioner Sean Frantom.

Helene smashed the light to the ground, forcing drivers to adapt to a stop sign, when they were used to a signal light.

“It’s a cluster mess up there. We need to have a light there I almost had a wreck there yesterday,” said Commissioner Catherine Smith McKnight.

Traffic engineers sped up the timeline to get the light operational by using a wood pole instead of a concrete one for the lights after getting help from the state.

It’s another step as the city works to get all traffic signals running again.

“We have almost all of the traffic signals operating at this point I think we only have three left out of 275 that are still either in flash or without power we hope to have those corrected and at least operating by the end of next week,” said John Ussery, Augusta Traffic Engineer.

But getting the lights working is just one issue for the signals. The timing is off, for one reason. The storm damaged the cameras at the signals lights.

“If you’ve looked at them you can see they are pointing down, they’re pointing up or they’re turned around, so without those being repaired, a lot of the timing can’t be reinstalled,” said Ussery.

The city is getting the lights, but it needs to work on its timing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.