Overview


The Augusta Regional Transportation Study (ARTS) is a bi-state Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) covering the Augusta-Richmond County, GA; and, Aiken County, SC urbanized areas (also including parts of Edgefield County, SC and Columbia County, GA).

In 2012, ARTS completed a comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian plan. In 2022-2023, ARTS will be developing an update to the comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian plan, including infrastructure and program recommendations to improve the walking and bicycling environment in the two-state metropolitan area.


Project Vision

The ARTS Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan envisions a seamless network of safe and inviting bicycling and walking paths, trails, and on-street facilities, between South Carolina, Georgia and the four member counties, that equitably supports economic development, active transportation, healthy lifestyles and improved quality of life for all ages and abilities of bicyclists and pedestrians in the region.


Project Goals

Enhance Connectivity
Improve Safety
Generate a Positive Economic Impact
Improve Health
Promote Equity
Provide Access to Natural Areas
Enhance Quality of Life through Active Transportation


Study Area

The ARTS planning area covers an approximate land area of 805 square miles with a population of 547,785 (US Census 2015-2019 ACS) and includes: Richmond County, and the Cities of Hephzibah and Blythe in Georgia; the Fort Gordon Military Reservation; parts of Columbia County, including the City of Grovetown and unincorporated Evans and Martinez; and, parts of Aiken and Edgefield Counties in South Carolina, including the Cities of Aiken, North Augusta, New Ellenton and Burnettown.


Past Events


The project team hosted an information table at Aiken’s Makin and Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival in September 2022 and facilitated four open house workshops around the region in October 2022. In the April of 2023, two additional in-person open house workshops were held to review the draft plan recommendations. Lastly, a virtual presentation providing an overview of the draft plan was recorded and is accessible through the link below.

Draft Plan Overview Presentation
Virtual Presentation

April 18, 2023: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Add to calendar April 18, 2023 04:00 PM April 18, 2023 05:00 PM Location of the event
Open House Workshop #5

April 19, 2023: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Palmetto Terrace at the North Augusta Municipal Building
100 Georgia Avenue North Augusta, SC 29841

Add to calendar April 19, 2023 04:30 PM April 19, 2023 06:30 PM Location of the event
Open House Workshop #6

April 20, 2023: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

First Floor – Linda Beazley Room
535 Telfair Street, Augusta, GA, 30901

Add to calendar April 20, 2023 04:30 PM April 20, 2023 06:30 PM Location of the event

Aiken’s Makin’

September 10, 2022: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

406 Park Ave SE, Aiken, SC 29801

Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival

September 17, 2022: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

downtown Augusta, GA

Open House Workshop #1

October 11, 2022: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Odell Weeks Activity Center
1700 Whiskey Rd, Aiken, SC 29803

Open House Workshop #2

October 11, 2022: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Warren Road Community Center (Multipurpose Rm)
300 Warren Road, Augusta, GA 30909

Open House Workshop #3

October 13, 2022: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Robert Howard Community Center (Multipurpose Rm)
103 Diamond Lakes Way, Hephzibah, GA 30815

Open House Workshop #4

October 13, 2022: 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm

North Augusta Community Center
495 Brookside Avenue, North Augusta, SC 29841

DRAFT ARTS MPO Bicycle and Pedestrian System Update 2023

Download PDF here