Proposed project to improve Waynesville
SYLVA – Some of the details for how to improve traffic flow on a main route in Waynesville are coming into focus, but the N.C. Department of Transportation still needs the public’s help.
The NCDOT will hold an informal open house from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9 at the Haywood Community College student union building to receive feedback and answer questions on preliminary ideas for improving South Main Street, which is also U.S. 23 Business.
The purpose of the project is to ease congestion and plan for expected growth in traffic volumes on this important artery in Haywood County. The proposed project began rising through the State Transportation Improvement Plan in 2016 when the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization submitted it for potential funding. The formula prioritizes projects based on a combination of safety, congestion, benefit-cost analysis as well as local priorities. It received high marks based on support from the planning organization, which is comprised of transportation groups and local elected officials.
Engineers are designing a project that will be sensitive to how the land is currently used at different sections of South Main Street from Hyatt Creek Road to Pigeon Street, including a smaller impact to residential areas compared to business areas.
Comments, which will help engineers shape the next design phase of the project, will be collected through Aug. 30.
Project information and materials will be available at www.NCDOT.gov/news/public-meetings as they become available.
Contact NCDOT Division 14 Project Manager J. Scott Miller III at jsmiller3@ncdot.gov or 828-586-2141, or 253 Webster Street, Sylva, NC 28779 to comment or for more information.
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled people who wish to participate. Anyone requiring special services should contact Caitlyn Ridge at ceridge1@ncdot.gov or 929-707-6091 as early as possible.
People who speak Spanish 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.