Augusta's Historic 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge, which provides users of active transportation a safe way to cross over the Savannah River in Augusta, Ga., is in the running for the 2023 People’s Choice Award from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). The bridge is one of just 12 projects from across the country selected in regional competitions and now vying for the national title in AASHTO’s America’s Transportation Awards. This national competition highlights impactful transportation projects completed by state DOTs and the robust economic and quality of life benefits those projects produce across the country.

The 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge project is competing to be named by the public in online voting as the People’s Choice for the Nation’s Best Transportation Project. Online voting continues through November 14. Cast votes for the 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge at https://americastransportationawards.org/georgia-department-of-transportations-historic-5th-street-pedestrian-bridge-rehabilitation-project/. Individuals can vote for 5th Street Bridge once every 24 hours (per IP address).

The People’s Choice Award will be presented at AASHTO’s annual meeting held in Indianapolis in November. To see all 12 contenders, visit https://americastransportationawards.org/.

The 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge project revitalized the previously outdated and structurally-deficient 5th Street Bridge over the Savannah River in Augusta, Ga., and transformed it into an active transportation and pedestrian crossing which provides an attractive and viable option for those strolling on foot, jogging or exercising. It now serves as an active hub of community activity, with several community arts events and festivals scheduled for the bridge. The project included installation of numerous benches with shading, water fountains for people and companion animals, and substantial lighting for safety and aesthetic enhancement. The new bridge deck was colorfully and attractively painted to include important dates in the bridge’s history.

Georgia DOT worked collaboratively on this project with local governments and regional partners through the agency’s Transportation Investment Act (TIA) Program, which provides a unique process for Georgia regions to fund community-selected transportation infrastructure projects with a voter-approved one-cent sales tax. Georgia DOT’s TIA engineers ensured the project’s timely administration while The City of Augusta oversaw the construction and garnered community support. The bridge rehabilitation was one of the Central Savannah River Area’s (CSRA) 84 projects specially-selected by regional leaders on their final investment list for the TIA term 2013-2022.

“The historic 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge demonstrates the value of the Transportation Investment Act program in that its funding makes many regional projects, like this one, a reality,” said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. “Being a contender in the People’s Choice Awards is a proud moment for Georgia. I urge everyone to vote every day for Augusta's Historic 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge.”

The best part – if the 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge wins the People’s Choice, the Georgia DOT will receive a $10,000 cash prize that will be donated.

Online voting continues through November 14. Cast your vote for the Historic 5th Street Pedestrian Bridge at https://americastransportationawards.org/georgia-department-of-transportations-historic-5th-street-pedestrian-bridge-rehabilitation-project/.