I-26 Connector Project Open House

The NC Department of Transportation will hold an open house for public comment on the I-26 Connector Project at a Nov. 16 public hearing at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel, 31 Woodfin St.

The open house is from 4 to 6:30 p.m. and will be followed by a formal presentation and public hearing beginning at 7 p.m. The public is invited and encouraged to weigh in, as the various proposed routes could result in the demolition of nearly 100 homes in West Asheville as well as numerous small businesses and other properties.

The Connector Project is an approximately 7-mile freeway proposed to connect I-26 in southwest Asheville to US 19-23-70 in northwest Asheville. According to the NCDOT, the proposed I-26 Connector in Asheville includes three sections:

  • Section A: Includes upgrading 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. This includes upgrades to the Brevard Road, Amboy Road, and Haywood Road interchanges.
  • Section B: Includes construction of the interstate on new a location from the Patton Avenue interchange north across the French Broad River, tying into US 19-23-70 south of Broadway.
  • Section C: Includes improvements to the I-40 interchanges with Smokey Park Highway, I-26/I-240 and Brevard Road.

The NCDOT is scheduled to select a preferred alternative for the connector the winter of 2015-16. The estimated cost of the connector project would be $600 million to $800 million, depending on alternative chosen. Property acquisition would begin in 2019 with a construction start date in 2021.

The NCDOT has launched an I-26 Connector Asheville page that contains project maps, video, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement, and an information packet.

For those unable to attend the open house, the public can also submit public comment through Dec. 16, including through the DOT’s website, ncdot.gov.

A live webinar will be offered during the Nov. 16 public hearing for people who wish to participate but cannot be there in person.

Written comments will be received through December 16. Send them to Drew Joyner, [email protected] or NCDOT Human Environment Section, 1598 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699. Or call 1-800-233-6315.