Bike trail reopens as canal comes close to being fully open
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Work on the Augusta Canal is starting to wrap up.
The Augusta Singletrack mountain bike path is finally open after more than three years of work after it was leveled in 2020.
“Everybody is really excited to get the trail put back together and a lot more fun even than it was before. It was a little bit of a blessing in disguise,” said Drew Jordan, owner of Andy Jordan’s Bicycle Shop.
The trail is next to the pump station closest to Eisenhower Park. Off the beaten path enough that you could walk right by it without even knowing it’s there, but there are signs to guide you down the right path.
“We’re very fortunate to have this mountain bike trail in an urban environment. You know, you feel like you’re in the wilderness, but you’re only a few minutes away from downtown,” said Jordan.
This is why Andy Jordan, SOBRA CSRA, the Augusta Canal Heritage Area, and more fought and worked to bring the trail back.
“Just seeing all of everyone’s hard work and the massive amount of hours come together. Just very, very excited to be able to enjoy it with everyone put so much hard work into it,” said Jordan.
For months, a portion of the Canal from Savannah Rapids to Eisenhower Park has been closed for utility work, blocking some from starting in Columbia County and getting to the Singletrack.
The Canal says that work is slated to be done on March 8.
Jordan says this will bring all the pieces together to make the area a premier outdoor destination.
“The towpath, which has been closed for a little while and blocking access to the trail from Savannah Rapids. Because there’s a lot of people that access if they’ll ride down to the trail, do a few loops and ride back,” he said. “The timing of everything is great. We’ve got Daylight savings. Everything’s open and back. The sun’s coming out. I think everybody’s ready for spring, and we’re excited for it.”
The Singletrack is open now, but there is an official reopening ceremony on March 10 at 1:30 p.m.
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