NCDOT holds ‘informational workshop’ on proposed I-26 plans Thursday, Jan. 31

Interested in Asheville’s future as it plays out in the shape of our infrastructure?

Check out this NCDOT “informational workshop” (no formal presentation, just a community drop-in with info) set for on Thursday, Jan. 31 in Fletcher.

The proposed I-26 project involves widening I-26 and “rehabilitating and widening” existing bridges, including the Blue Ridge Parkway bridge over I-26. The stated purpose of the project is to “relieve projected congestion along the I-26 corridor.”

The NCDOT invites the public to drop in at any time during workshop hours to speak with NCDOT officials and review the project area map. There will not be a formal presentation.

From the release:

NCDOT to Hold Informational Workshop on Proposed Improvements to I-26 from U.S. 25 in Henderson County to I-40 in Buncombe County

RALEIGH — The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold an informational workshop from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31, on proposed improvements to 22.2 miles of Interstate 26 from U.S. 25 in Henderson County to I-40 in Buncombe County. The workshop will take place at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center, Virginia C. Boone Building, located at 1301 Fanning Bridge Road in Fletcher.

The proposed project involves a multi-lane widening of I-26 and also includes rehabilitating and widening existing bridges, including the Blue Ridge Parkway bridge over I-26. The purpose of the project is to relieve projected congestion along the I-26 corridor.

The public is invited to attend at any time during the workshop hours to speak individually with NCDOT officials and review the project area map. There will not be a formal presentation. The opportunity to submit written comments or questions will be provided. Comments and suggestions received will be considered during the design phase.

For additional information, contact Dre Major, NCDOT Project Development and Environmental Analysis Unit, at (919) 707-6028 or ujmajor@ncdot.gov.

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for persons with disabilities who want to participate in this workshop. Anyone requiring special services should contact Major as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.

People who speak Spanish and 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.

News release link.

NCDOT I-26 Connector background here:

The North Carolina Department of Transportation proposes the construction of a new interstate highway (TIP Project No. I-2513) to connect I-26 from the I-26/I-40/I-240 interchange southwest of Asheville to US 19-23-70 north of Asheville. This new interstate will connect I-26 with I-81 south of Kingsport, Tennessee. The I-26 Connector is currently in the project development and environmental analysis phase.

The proposed I-26 Connector in Asheville includes:

• Upgrading 2.5 miles of existing I-240 from the I-26/I-240 interchange with I-40 to the I-240 interchange with Patton Avenue, west of the French Broad River.

• Improvements to the I-26/I-240 interchange with I-40 and Brevard Road (N.C. 191), Amboy Road (S.R. 3556), Haywood Road (S.R. 3548/U.S. 19/23 Business) and Patton Avenue (U.S. 19-23) interchanges.

• Construction of the interstate on new location from the Patton Avenue interchange north for 1.2 miles across the French Broad River, tying into US 19/23/70 south of Broadway Street (S.R. 1781). The project length from the I-40 interchange to Broadway Street is 5.1 miles.