Project Overview & Purpose

Approximately 7 miles, the proposed I-26 Connector is an interstate freeway that would connect I-26 in southwest Asheville to U.S. 19/23/70 in northwest Asheville.

The proposed project involves three sections:

• Section A, which involves upgrading I-240 (as well as interchanges at Brevard, Amboy and Haywood roads) – from the I-26/I-240 interchange with I-40 to the I-240 interchange with Patton Avenue – west of the French Broad River
• Section B, which includes building the interstate on a new location from the Patton Avenue interchange north across the French Broad River, tying into U.S. 19/23/70 south of Broadway
• Section C, which involves improvements to the I-40 interchanges with Smokey Park Highway, I-26/I-240 and Brevard Road

The I-26 Connector would be a median-divided, fully controlled-access freeway accessible only via interchanges. To reduce the required right-of-way, there would be a barrier median dividing opposing directions of travel.

Once complete, the freeway would be part of the I-26 Interstate that extends from Charleston, S.C., to Kingsport, Tenn.

Project Funding

This project is listed as Project I-2513 in the N.C. Department of Transportation's State Transportation Improvement Program and is funded for $600 million to $800 million.