If you know West Asheville you know Beecham’s Curve, the area at the east end of Haywood Road where it makes a 90-degree turn to head into the River District.
Like several other areas in West Asheville, it’s scheduled for big changes. Beecham’s Curve is second in our series exploring changes coming soon to West Asheville infrastructure.
A series of road improvements is being triggered by New Belgium Brewing’s plans to build a $172 million craft beer brewery nearby on Craven Street, though the plans for this traffic signal are not part of that work.
While the signal scheduled to be installed at end east end of Haywood Road is often mentioned in the same breath as the other area improvements scheduled as part of New Belgium’s arrival, according to N.C. DOT District Engineer Chad Bandy, the new stoplight isn’t related to the New Belgium changes.
“The signal is not being installed due to the New Belgium project, it is being installed due to the existing traffic volumes have reached a point that warrant a signal,” Bandy said. “In addition, the crash history at this location allowed us to fund this project under our Spot Safety program.”
A signal “has been a desire of the community for some time,” according to Bandy, and the project was going to happen regardless of New Belgium.
If you’ve driven this end of Haywood, you’ve likely noticed that it’s not always clear who has the right-of-way, or who’s turning in which direction, and that anyone making a U-turn tends to incur ire from those behind her and confusion from everyone else.
Bandy acknowledges that Beecham’s Curve was “a source of conflict” for several years. A traffic roundabout, he said, would have been an ideal solution, but installing one would take out Mason Muffler Service, the business at the east end of Haywood Road.
“That’s the last thing we want to do,” Bandy said in a recent presentation to community members. “We are putting a signal in.”
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Where: The east end of Haywood Road (opposite end from Patton Avenue)
What: The installation of a stoplight at the turn.
Why? Traffic volumes have reached a point that warrants a signal in a problematic area.
What is the cost? According to Bandy, approximately $100,000
Who’s footing the bill? The N.C. DOT, under the Spot Safety Project
When does construction start and end? Spring 2013, the same timeframe as the upgrades to the the I-240 ramps.
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Ashvegas’ series on proposed infrastructure changes in West Asheville and the RAD continues next with changes at Craven Street, the West Asheville street that will be improved to install sidewalks and a bike path, and allow easier passage of delivery vehicles.