ASHEVILLE – A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation started a project earlier this week to resurface Smoky Park Highway between Haywood Road in West Asheville and N.C. 151 in Candler.
Harrison Construction is performing most of the work at night with no lane closures allowed after 6 a.m. each morning.
The operation includes milling out old asphalt, repairing concrete, and patching in locations, followed by resurfacing with new asphalt. The contractor will also level man-hole covers, paint new lines and upgrade all wheelchair ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Act specifications.
Repairs will continue through April, with paving beginning in early May and finishing before Memorial Day. These upgrades are part of a $12.8 million contract to resurface more than 105 miles of roads in Buncombe County.
“This project will improve safety and the driving experience for the 20,000 people, on average, who drive Smoky Park Highway daily,” Division 13 resident engineer Jody Lawrence said. “We’re happy to have this work done at night to limit congestion and delays.”