FLAT ROCK – The N.C. Department of Transportation recently awarded a contract to upgrade North Highland Lake Road with construction starting as soon as Oct. 1.
NCDOT awarded Buchanan & Sons, Inc. of Whittier, the lowest qualified bidder, the $6.7 million contract. The project complies with the NCDOT Complete Streets Policy and will improve mobility and safety on the 1.1-mile road between Greenville Highway (N.C. 225) and Spartanburg Highway (U.S. 176).
“We are delighted to start a wonderful project that will improve the lives of residents in Hendersonville, Flat Rock, and Henderson County while also improving the travel experience for visitors to the beautiful area,” NCDOT Division 14 Engineer Wanda Austin said. “We have worked with a multitude of stakeholders on the municipal, local, and state levels for more than 10 years to reach this stage of the project.”
In January of 2020, the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization voted 15-1 in opposition to a request from the Village of Flat Rock to stop the project. Also that month, the Henderson County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to support the project, and the Henderson County Transportation Advisory Committee voted 8-1 to support the project.
Utility crews are currently in the area relocating overhead power lines ahead of the available starting date this fall. Construction is expected to be substantially complete by Sept. 15, 2023, according to the contract.
Highlights of the project – parts of which are in the City of Hendersonville, the Village of Flat Rock, and Henderson County jurisdictions – include the following:
- New left turn lanes at Highland Lake Drive, Highland Park Drive and into the Park at Flat Rock
- An extended right turn into CVS near Quail Cove Lane
- Wider shoulders and larger turn radius onto North Highland Lake Road
- A rock form liner for the King Creek culvert
- Custom colors and paint for concrete, guard rails and signal poles
- Landscaping at the intersection of N.C. 225 including evergreens
- A new sidewalk connection within the City of Hendersonville
- Relocation of the existing multi-use trail within the Village Park
- Improved railroad crossing
The road will also have 11-foot wide lanes from N.C. 225 to a new entrance into the park, 14-foot-wide lanes from the park to Quail Cove lane, and 11-foot wide lanes from Quail Cove Lane to U.S. 176. The plans include a 10-foot berm to accommodate future pedestrian facilities without future impacts. The project also has no impact on historic districts according to the State Historic Preservation Office.
The cost of the project rose from early estimates since its creation in 2010 as the result of additional studies, increased public outreach, and a large increase in the overall cost of construction. Traffic crash analysis showed 91 crashes from 2011-16, and 103 crashes from 2014-19. The improvements will reduce the crash rate.
“This project will have long-lasting benefits for Hendersonville, the Village and the Henderson County,” Austin said. “The collaboration and the extensive public involvement has produced a project that is context sensitive, yet meeting the broader needs of all users of North Highland Lake Road."