AUGUSTA, Ga. – After nearly six years of ongoing construction, the Interstate 20 bridge project in Augusta is set to reach its final stages. Contractors now have until Thursday, March 6, to complete the long-delayed project, which has plagued local traffic for years.

The project, which began in 2019, has seen several setbacks, including a global pandemic and damage caused by Hurricane Helene, all of which have extended the anticipated completion timeline. Originally, the end date for the project kept shifting, and local commuters have grown accustomed to the constant changes in traffic patterns and the ubiquitous presence of orange barrels.

But now, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is optimistic that the bridge will soon be finished.

“The final deadline for acceptance is set for March 6,” said Kyle Collins, a spokesperson for GDOT. “If contractors don’t meet that deadline, it will result in penalties.”

Crews are currently focused on the final details of the project, such as cleaning out drainage structures and applying an epoxy seal to the concrete joints of the bridge. The epoxy serves as a flexible sealant, allowing the bridge to move with the traffic that passes over it.

“Bridges are designed to be flexible, to move up and down as traffic drives over them,” Collins explained. “It’s part of their long-term sustainability.”

Before construction began, the original bridge, built in the 1960s, was increasingly problematic. Frequent maintenance issues and limited space for emergency response were major concerns. The new bridge is expected to offer more room for vehicles and emergency crews, which will reduce accidents and improve safety.

“If there’s an incident on the bridge, having more space means crews can work more efficiently to clear traffic and keep things moving,” Collins said.

While delays were to be expected, some challenges were unforeseen. The COVID-19 pandemic brought construction to a halt, and the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene in 2020 delayed work further. The storm caused significant damage in the region, forcing crews to pause for weeks to address the aftermath.

Despite these setbacks, GDOT reports that crews are now wrapping up the final phase of work. In the coming days, they will address any remaining signage issues and finalize cleanup tasks. Some minor lane closures may occur as crews finish planting grass and attending to other landscaping details, but these should not disrupt the main travel lanes.

With the finish line in sight, both GDOT and local drivers are eager to see the end of the project. “Crews are ready to put this headache to rest,” Collins said. “We’re all looking forward to the end of this construction.”