15th Street to get pedestrian-friendly upgrade (Savannah, Evans: tax, transportation, design)

[Airforceguy]

The 15th Street Pedestrian improvement has been in the works for a while. Back in 2010, it was going to be a SPLOST project; however, there wasn't enough funding.
Now, the 7.5 million dollar project is being paid for with the transportation tax dollars, as the city just approved $1.5 million for the final design plans.
The foot traffic is constant, with people like Kenneth Holmes who walk this path every day.
Holmes said the path is a little bumpy from time to time.
"I started walking, just exercising, walking back and forth," he said. "It's a little bit off and on."
Abie Ladson, the Augusta Engineering Director, said she has a good understanding of the situation.
"It starts at Butt's Bridge and it goes all the way to Central Avenue, she said. "
The project is to make the situation better for bikes and people walking down this busy street. There will be new sidewalks, wider lanes, even some aesthetic upgrades, such as brick pavers.

15th Street to get pedestrian-friendly upgrade

[AUGnative]

They need to make all of Augusta pedestrian friendly. With the exception of Broad street, Greene St and The Riverwalk downtown, most of Augusta is pedestrian unfriendly. Sidewalks, if they do exist, are usually only on one side of the road and will mysteriously disappear for no reason forcing pedestrians to walk in the road or on the shoulder.

[Mutiny77]

Originally Posted by AUGnative

They need to make all of Augusta pedestrian friendly. With the exception of Broad street, Greene St and The Riverwalk downtown, most of Augusta is pedestrian unfriendly. Sidewalks, if they do exist, are usually only on one side of the road and will mysteriously disappear for no reason forcing pedestrians to walk in the road or on the shoulder.

That's true of pretty much all Southern cities in particular. Most of Savannah (and Charleston) is pedestrian unfriendly as well--and that goes beyond just having sidewalks.

[Miracle Whips]

Originally Posted by AUGnative

They need to make all of Augusta pedestrian friendly. With the exception of Broad street, Greene St and The Riverwalk downtown, most of Augusta is pedestrian unfriendly. Sidewalks, if they do exist, are usually only on one side of the road and will mysteriously disappear for no reason forcing pedestrians to walk in the road or on the shoulder.

While all I'm all for improved walkability, outside if downtown I'm not sure where this increased walkability would be implemented? Everything is so spread out all over, I just can't think of a place where I'm just like "Man I wish we could just walk there, but there isn't a decent path to get there" The Evans Town Center Plaza will be huge for this reason.

[therealpattman]

Problem in Augusta is even if you build sidewalks folks still don't use them.

[AUGnative]

That may be because they seem like such a foreign concept to people here. "Sidewalk? What is that? Is it for golf carts?"

[Shinedou]

Two words... Pedestrian bridge