Whiskey Road project still a go, with modifications

Whiskey Road is still slated to receive smart signals at a number of intersections and several other improvements.

The South Carolina Subcommittee of the Augusta Regional Transportation Study received an update on the project from City of Aiken Manager Roger LeDuc at Thursday's meeting. He said the project has grown into something very different than what it originally started as.

At first, the work included installing a few smart signals around the Aiken Mall area to ease traffic flow. The system works as a traffic counter initiated by sensors placed about every 100 feet along the road. The sensors will adjust traffic lights based on the number of cars on the road.

Ditches on either side of Whiskey Road were to be filled in and sidewalks installed.

But now the scope of the project has expanded to include installing smart signals at 17 intersections along Whiskey Road.

"This will network all the signals," LeDuc said.

He added that, due to high cost, sidewalks have been eliminated from the project. Ditches will still be filled in to create a flat surface for pedestrians to walk on, but only on the east side of the road from the Aiken Mall to the Arby's area. Curbs and gutters will be installed on that stretch as well.

"It is costing more money to do the work than originally anticipated," LeDuc said. "The City of Aiken will be committing another $400,000 to $500,000 we set aside in one-cent sales tax money."

Aiken and the City of North Augusta split in half roughly $2.9 million in stimulus money slated for road improvements to tackle respective projects. Aiken has allocated its $1.4 million to the Whiskey Road project.

"The signals are our No. 1 priority but streetscaping is 1A. It was going to have to be done, and it's sooner rather than later," LeDuc said.

South Carolina Department of Transportation officials met with Federal Highway Administration officials Friday to go over final plans for the project.