SYLVA — The fly-fishing is fabulous. The cycling trails are exceptional, and
all of the many others draws to the Pisgah National Forest have led to high
traffic volumes and increased congestion in recent years.
The N.C. Department of Transportation, in coordination with the City of
Brevard and Transylvania County, will present options to improve the
intersection of Asheville Highway and Hendersonville Highway/Pisgah Highway to
alleviate congestion and improve traffic flow through the busy area.
A new roundabout option has garnered the most support through the early
stages of developing this project. A signalized option will also be
presented.
Both options offer notable traffic improvements over the signal in place now.
But the roundabout option would have reduced delays as traffic volumes continue
to increase in the future. In addition, the roundabout is more in line with
local planning objectives for the Pisgah Forest Neighborhood and offers safer
bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
The options will be presented at a drop-in public meeting on Thursday, May 24
from 4-7 p.m. at the Transylvania County Library, 212 South Gaston Street,
Brevard. NCDOT officials will be available to answer questions and receive
comments.
If area residents are unable to attend the meeting, they will still have a
chance to submit comments on the project until June 15.
Contact Division 14 Project Engineer Jonathan Woodard at jwoodard@ncdot.gov for additional
information or to submit comments.
The project started at a local level over more than a decade. The U.S.
64/N.C. 280 corridor was identified as needing improvement in ago in the
Transylvania County Comprehensive Transportation Plan.
Less than two years ago the Pisgah Forest Small Area Plan recommended
roundabouts at the intersections and improved bicycle and pedestrian
improvements.
The Land of Sky Rural Planning Organization — which consists of individuals
from local governments — and the NCDOT scored the project high in 2016 so it
received funding and the go-ahead in 2017.
At the meeting, NCDOT will provide auxiliary ads and services under the
Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who wish to participate in
this workshop. Anyone requiring special services should contact Jenny Noonkester
at (704) 940-4787 or jenny.noonkester@rsandh.com as
early as possible so arrangements can be made.