SYLVA – Major improvements are coming to a major intersection in Transylvania County.
The N.C. Department of Transportation, the City of Brevard and Transylvania County combined to select the plan of building two roundabouts to improve vehicle traffic and multi-modal accommodations in the Pisgah Forest area.
Transportation officials, local elected officials and the comments they received during a public comment period spurred the selection of improvements at the intersection of U.S. 64/U.S. 276 and for N.C. 280/Deavor Road/Forest Gate Road.
“These roundabouts will help thousands of people on a daily basis and even more people who visit Pisgah Forest,” Division Project Engineer Jonathan Woodard said. “The area is becoming more and more popular with people wanting to go fishing, camping, visit the Cradle of Forestry or visit the waterfalls.
“The roundabouts are going to help folks who drive, and folks who walk or bike.”
The roundabouts offer better safety benefits for both vehicles and pedestrians compared to signalized intersections. They are more aesthetically appealing and consistent with local area plans and goals.
And, they are better suited than new signalized intersections at handling existing and projected traffic volumes. For example, the line for traffic exiting the national forest would be nearly three times shorter —100 feet compared to a 275-foot backup.
Right-of-way acquisition is slated to start in 2019 and construction would start in 2021. Up next, members of the project team will begin preparing detailed design plans and complete the required environmental documentation.
Copies of the design proposals are available online.