News Summary
Despite the recent repair of the Chatham Parkway bridge, potholes continue to plague both sides, causing frustration for the 17,000 daily commuters. The Georgia Department of Transportation has completed the bridge construction, determining the pothole location is outside their jurisdiction. Both the City of Savannah and Garden City have also denied responsibility, leaving the community concerned about the safety and maintenance of the road. Residents and local businesses are anxiously awaiting clarity on who will address the issue.
Savannah – Potholes persist on both sides of the Chatham Parkway bridge, which was recently repaired by construction crews, despite the completion of work two months ago. The ongoing issues have become a daily frustration for the approximately 17,000 vehicles that cross the bridge, as many drivers face rough surface conditions that could potentially damage their vehicles.
Construction on the Chatham Parkway bridge was undertaken by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) following damage caused by an excavator. The repairs included the replacement of damaged beams, deck pouring, and restoration of the barrier wall. GDOT completed the construction work two months ago, reopening four lanes of traffic with fresh paint. However, GDOT has stated that the location of the potholes is outside their jurisdiction and falls under the responsibility of local city or county authorities.
The City of Savannah has indicated that the potholes near the traffic light to I-16 westbound also fall outside of their jurisdiction. Similarly, the City of Garden City has claimed that the area is not under their responsibility either. After receiving clarification from Garden City officials, they have agreed to send an engineer to reassess the site to determine which authority should handle the pothole issue.
On September 8, officials from Chatham County confirmed that these potholes are not within their jurisdiction, adding to the confusion surrounding which agency is responsible for addressing the road condition concerns.
Local residents have expressed frustration over the persistent potholes, with some indicating that the rough road conditions particularly affect lower vehicles. One resident noted widespread concerns about the dangers the potholes pose, especially for owners of older vehicles. Conversations about the potholes have become common among coworkers and patrons at local businesses, highlighting the community’s growing unease about the safety of the roads.
The construction of the bridge has affected local businesses along Chatham Parkway over the past year, increasing hopes among business owners for a prompt resolution to the pothole issue. Residents and business operators alike are looking for clarity on the next steps that will be taken to address the unsatisfactory road conditions.
While the Georgia Department of Transportation completed the necessary repairs on the bridge itself, the unresolved potholes remain a significant concern for both local commuters using the bridge and businesses dependent on traffic flow along the Parkway.
As the community awaits further clarification and action regarding the jurisdiction issues surrounding the potholes, the condition of the road continues to highlight the complexities involved in infrastructure maintenance and responsibility among different governmental agencies.
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Additional Resources
- WTOC: Whose Patching Potholes Near Chatham Parkway Bridge?
- Savannah Now: City Launches Initiative to Repair Potholes
- WJCL: City Will Launch Pothole Patrol Initiative This Fall
- Savannah Tribune: City Will Launch Pothole Patrol Initiative This Fall
- Google Search: Potholes
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
