Vehicle hits infamous Olive Road bridge; red beam collapses

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The infamous Olive Road has struck again — but this time it’s the bright red beam that’s meant to attract attention to the well-battered bridge.

According to a Richmond County deputy on the scene, a camper-type vehicle hit the bridge and left the scene.

Wednesday morning, News 12 viewers reported deputies in the area and sent us a photo of the beam on the ground.

City Engineering tell us the beam is not attached to the bridge, so it can take the hit.

Around noon, Olive Road near the bridge was officially closed to drivers.

Now, drivers are forced to take a detour. Drivers like Latron Smith say it’s a pattern they see too often.

“This always happens. So it don’t surprise me no more. Yeah, but I mean, it looked worse this time because the railing fell out,” said Smith.

CSX says in a statement, “CSX bridge inspectors conducted a thorough inspection of the Olive Street Bridge following today’s vehicle strike and determined that the track was moved out of alignment as a result of the incident. The track was immediately taken out of service and resources are being deployed to conduct repairs. The roadway will remain closed to traffic until repairs can be completed.”

Augusta leaders say a section of Olive Road near the bridge will be closed to allow CSX to conduct repairs and updates. CSX estimates the repairs could take up to three months.

All traffic will be detoured to White Road and Kissingbower Road, according to officials.

A truck gets stuck under it every few months, despite a plethora of warning signs and signals, as well as the red beam.

John Ussery with Traffic Engineering says the city is doing everything they can to prevent this with about 30 warning signs.

“We’re just hoping that people recognize what we’ve already done and we hope to move forward with with the other devices soon,” he said.

He says they’re even working with CSX for another warning device.

“It’s called a chain curtain. It’s a pole and an arm like you would have on a traffic signal. But instead of signal heads that change color, you have chains that hang down and the chains are the same height as the bridge,” he said.

Below is a photo of what the bridge looked like before the red beam fell.

The bridge – sometimes humorously called a beacon of hope for its indestructibility – isn’t just well-known in Augusta.

A representative with CSX told city leaders that of the 9,000 bridges and 28 states CSX manages, the Olive Road bridge is infamous for the railroad, too.

“Of all the bridges that we have, this one and another one in Athens, Georgia, believe it or not, are two of the most destructive bridges on our network,” said Regional Vice President Craig Camuso.

Until repairs are wrapped up, the cycle repeats for drivers who take this route every day.

“This is a good route for everybody who’s staying in this area. And I hate for them to close it,” said Smith.

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