Project Overview
The N.C. Department of Transportation is proposing to widen Russ Avenue (U.S. 276) approximately 1.1 miles from Phillips Road to North Main Street (U.S. 23 Business) in Waynesville. The proposal also includes providing access for bicyclists and pedestrians with bike lanes and sidewalks.
Russ Avenue is a major thoroughfare that serves several important functions, including access to the Great Smoky Mountains Expressway (U.S. 23/74), a north-south link between Waynesville and Maggie Valley, and access to businesses and community resources.
Different sections of the roadway vary from two to five lanes with speed limits ranging from 20 to 45 mph. The proposed work would help ease traffic congestion and improve safety in the corridor where crash rates are relatively high in comparison to surrounding streets.
Project Funding
This project is listed as Project U-5839 in the
N.C. Department of Transportation's State Transportation Improvement Program and is funded for $17.75 million.
| Project development and design | $1.63 million |
| Property acquisition | $6.95 million |
| Construction costs | $10.8 million |
|
Total cost |
$19.38 million |
*Estimated costs subject to change