Asheville - The potential start date for construction on Interstate
26 is creeping closer.
The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting
next week regarding the proposed widening of I-26 between U.S. 25 south of
Hendersonville and the I-26/I-40/I-240 interchange.
The meeting will take place from 4-7 p.m. on Monday, April 16, at
Biltmore Baptist Church, Arden campus 35 Clayton Road, Arden.
NCDOT will provide updates about the project, share new information
about the design, and provide opportunities to discuss the project one-on-one
with the design team and NCDOT officials. The updates include a tentative
schedule, a decision on the U.S. 25 interchange, a decision on the U.S. 64
interchange, and new information for river users during construction.
Right of way acquisition is scheduled for this year and
construction is slated to start in 2019.
Transportation and local officials have selected to install a
diverging diamond interchange at Asheville Highway/U.S. 25 (Exit 44) which is
similar to the I-26/Airport Road interchange, but with improved turning
accommodations. Selecting the diverging diamond instead of a partial cloverleaf
reduces the number of relocations from 11 to zero, and the number of impacted
properties from 43 down to 11.
Officials have also chosen a partial cloverleaf with enhanced left
turns for the interchange with U.S. 64/Four Seasons Boulevard (Exit 49). This
design keeps two of the existing loop ramps and directs all exiting vehicles
from I-26 to make right turns onto Four Seasons Blvd. It also includes lanes
designed to move all traffic patterns more efficiently and includes
accommodations for bicyclists and pedestrians.
The NCDOT is also developing initial safety plans for kayakers and
other boaters who pass under I-26 on the French Broad River. NCDOT will provide
a safe passage lane in the water that will include navigational aids to reduce
the risk of accidents.
The public may attend the meeting at any time as no formal
presentation will be made. Representatives will be available to answer
questions and listen to comments.
Interested parties may submit comments at the meeting, or over the
phone, via email or mail until May 1. Those comments will be considered as the
project develops.
Information and materials may also be viewed as they become
available at https://www.ncdot.gov/projects/i26Widening/.
For additional information or to submit comments, contact Wanda
Austin, NCDOT Division 14 Project Development Engineer, at 253 Webster Road,
Sylva, NC 28779, (828) 586-2141 or whaustin@ncdot.gov; or Cole Hood, NCDOT Division 13 Project
Development Engineer, at 55 Orange Street, Asheville, N.C. 28801, (828)
251-6171, or chood@ncdot.gov; or
Kat Bukowy, consultant, at 343 East Six Forks Road, Raleigh, N.C. 27609, (919)
424-0441 or kbukowy@hntb.com.
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans
with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in this
meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Caitlyn Ridge,
Environmental Analysis Unit, at ceridge1@ncdot.gov or (919) 707-6091 as early as
possible so arrangements can be made.
Persons who do not speak English, or have a limited ability to
read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon
request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494.
***NCDOT***
Contact: David Uchiyama
duchiyama@ncdot.gov
(828) 251-6171