Posted March 11, 2021, 7:29 am
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Masters Week traffic plan to look different because of fewer patrons

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When the 2020 Masters Tournament was moved to November, traffic was light on the first practice round day. No patrons were allowed in the fall because of COVID-19 precautions, but a limited number of patrons will be present for the 2021 tournament this April. [SUSAN MCCORD/THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE]

With only a limited number of patrons allowed into the Masters Tournament this year, Augusta Traffic Engineering is making a few changes to the traffic plan.

John Ussery, the city’s assistant director of traffic engineering, said this year’s plan will start earlier, on Thursday, April 1, instead of the Sunday before the tournament. A lot of volunteers and staff will be getting tested, being trained and completing other required tasks, Ussery said.

Ussery said that while there's no estimate on how many patrons will be attending this year, there is a rough estimate on how many vehicles will be around Augusta National Golf Club during the tournament. Ussery said they are expecting 3,000 vehicles for volunteers and staff and an additional 3,000 vehicles for patrons.

In the past, the off-ramp at Washington Road and Interstate 20 has been closed for those coming from Atlanta, but not this year, Ussery said.

He is confident the plan will be effective, but if not, changes can be made on the spot.

“We are just going to leave the off-ramp open at Washington Road and I-20," he said. "We are just going to use Washington Road as the main way to get them in and out. We can do that because of the reduced volume.”

A lot of the other regular tournament detours will not be in use this year but will still be available, Ussery said.

“We don’t anticipate closing the off-ramps and rerouting traffic through Riverwatch and Alexander, but we have everything ready to go just in case the traffic is larger than we expect,” he said.

“We are very comfortable with the plan. We think with the existing infrastructure we have and with the intelligence transportation system components that we have, we should be able to manage the traffic,” he said.

Masters Week takes place April 5-11. The Augusta Women’s Amateur will take place the last week of March at Champions Retreat in Evans with the finals Saturday, April 3 at Augusta National. The National Drive, Chip & Putt Finals will be held Sunday, April 4 at the golf club.

All exits on I-20 will be open during the tournament. Those coming from Atlanta can get off at Exit 195 and continue on Wheeler Road to Berckmans Road; take Exit 199 and follow the signs on Washington Road; or take Exit 200 onto Riverwatch Parkway and turn onto Alexander Drive toward the golf club.

Travelers from South Carolina can take Exit 1, Exit 200 or Exit 199 to get to Augusta National. The department is expecting almost everybody to come off I-20 at Washington Road, with a few coming from downtown and Riverwatch Parkway.

Ussery discourages people from using GPS because it could end up confusing them.

“Every year is a little different and this year is no exception. Some of the stuff that the GPS would tell you, it’s going to be incorrect, especially if you are approaching Augusta National from a different direction than the main direction we want you to come,” he said. “Once you get on Washington Road, there’ll be another series of message boards, some cones and sheriff’s deputies, and they’ll guide you to the parking lot on Berckmans Road adjacent to Augusta National.”

Another change for this year’s Masters will be the exodus after the day is over. Ussery said turning out of the parking lots won't be restricted this year. Richmond County deputies will direct people out of the parking lots, but then they can use the roads as they normally would.

Washington Road typically averages about 35,000 vehicles per day, with that number usually doubling during Masters Week. Ussery said traffic might be heavy at times because he expects some people to just come to the area to be around the tournament and local residents to stay in Augusta rather than take their annual trip during the tournament.

He is confident the plan will be effective, but if not, changes can be made on the spot.

Masters Week takes place from April 5-11. The Augusta National Women’s Amateur will take place the last week of March at Champions Retreat in Evans, with the finals Saturday, April 3, at Augusta National. The Drive, Chip & Putt National Finals will be held Sunday, April 4, at Augusta National.

Masters Week traffic plan to look different because of fewer patrons

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