AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Neon blue graffiti is still leaving its mark on the Fifth Street Bridge, but engineering says it should be gone by Tuesday.
During a routine inspection, city engineering ran across the vandalism.
Crews started cleaning up Thursday, and now they’re starting to see some progress.
Less than two years old, the Freedom Bridge is the newest spot for those young and lively to roll through and take in the garden city’s stellar views.
“Today is beautiful. I wasn’t expecting the sun to come out today, but thank the Lord, it came out,” said Don Bryant.
Bryant takes his walks from his condo nearby to the bridge whenever he can.
It’s the newest attraction in this historic town, but in his 30 years living here, he’s not surprised by vandalism around here.
“That bothers me because anytime anybody vandalizes anything, it’s just awful. They do the same thing on the Riverwalk down here, and I hate to see it,” he said.
Unlike the Riverwalk, however, Parks and Rec aren’t handling the cleanup.
Engineering is designated to power-wash away the mess, but they don’t have money set aside for incidents like this.
These repairs are coming right out of their operational budget.
There are four security cameras lining the walk and a half-open gate, but Commissioner Jordan Johnson says while it’s early, conversations are already taking place for better security.
Bryant continued, “I don’t like it. If there was something that I could do about it, I would, but I can’t do anything about it. Augusta’s a wonderful place to live.”
Augusta Engineering says Monday was the first day of pressure washing and cleaning and says the bridge should be completely clean and free of graffiti by Tuesday.
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