Broad Street construction continues as downtown access remains disrupted

Construction remains active along downtown Augusta’s Broad Street corridor, with lane restrictions affecting drivers and access to nearby businesses. The city announced a temporary closure of 13th Street between Broad Street and Jones Street beginning July 20 for approximately two weeks, but the available notice does not independently confirm whether that short-term closure remained in effect on Sunday, August 2.

The continuing Broad Street restrictions are a separate part of the project. Drivers should expect changing traffic patterns, construction activity and extra travel time through the central business district.

Broad Street lane restrictions continue

The city’s July 20 traffic advisory listed several Broad Street restrictions: the outside lanes between 13th and 15th streets; the outside lanes between 13th and 12th streets; the eastbound outside lane between 12th and 11th streets; and the inside lane between 11th and 6th streets.

Motorists should follow onsite detour signs, reduce speed and allow additional travel time. Because crews are working through an active construction zone, traffic patterns may change as work moves between sections of the corridor.

13th Street closure status should be checked locally

Augusta announced the 13th Street closure on July 20 to allow crews to install new stormwater piping between Broad Street and Jones Street. The city described the closure as lasting approximately two weeks.

That estimate would place the expected end of the closure around early August, but it is not a confirmation that the restriction ended on a specific date or remained active on August 2. Drivers should rely on current barricades, detour signs and onsite instructions before entering that section of 13th Street.

Project includes roadway and drainage improvements

The Broad Street Improvement Project covers more than temporary traffic control. Augusta’s official project page describes work from Washington Road to Sand Bar Ferry Road involving roadway resurfacing and reconstruction of existing curb and gutter, sidewalks and the storm-sewer system.

The stormwater-pipe installation on 13th Street is part of that broader infrastructure effort. A short-term change in one closure does not mean construction has ended elsewhere along the corridor.

Businesses report fewer customers

WRDW reported July 31 that construction was continuing to affect downtown Augusta businesses and that local business owners said they were seeing fewer customers.

The report does not establish that every downtown business has experienced the same level of disruption. It does show that access conditions are affecting more than drivers, with some businesses reporting a direct effect on customer traffic.

Work is expected to continue into early 2027

WRDW reported that the broader Broad Street renovations are not expected to finish until early 2027. That schedule remains developing, and individual lane restrictions or closures may change as project phases advance.

Drivers heading through downtown Augusta should watch for posted instructions, follow onsite detour signs and allow extra time. For current conditions, travelers should check Augusta’s project updates and verify signs and barricades at the point of travel.

Sources

• Augusta traffic advisory on 13th Street and Broad Street closures
• WRDW report on downtown business impacts