5th Street Bridge to Become Freedom Bridge

Augusta Commissioners decided Tuesday that the Jefferson Davis Memorial Bridge is getting a new name.   Some have pushed for the renaming of the bridge and the removal of plaques that depict the president of the Confederacy.

A task force developed by the mayor's office had recommended the name change over two years ago in an effort to correct racial injustice which was brought to the forefront after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020.

Some Augusta Commissioners argue that changing the name of the Jefferson Davis Memorial Bridge is the right thing to do, adding that other Confederate monuments and namesakes should also be considered for possible name changes.  Commissioner Jordan Johnson said after Tuesday's meeting he hopes the group will consider moving the Confederate Monument in the 700 block of Broad Street to either Magnolia Cemetery or Westview Cemetery.

In a similar move, the Secretary of Defense has already approved of the renaming of several Army installations, including Fort Gordon, that have Confederate ties.  Fort Gordon will become Fort Eisenhower.  All nine installations are to be renamed by 2023.