Project Distance Revised
In 2011, the N.C. Department of Transportation studied widening a 14.6-mile stretch of N.C. 105 from Linville in Avery County to Boone in Watauga County. The project was split into two segments – Section A from Linville to Foscoe, and Section B from Foscoe to Boone.
In 2012, a new traffic forecast for 2040 did not project sufficient traffic volumes to justify work between Linville and Foscoe. Existing traffic volumes dropped due to the recession, and traffic projections were lower because of waning development in the region. The dropped segment, Section A from Linville to Foscoe, might be studied in the future, if warranted, as traffic volumes grow.
As a result of the traffic forecast, the project area was shortened to a 5.5-stretch of N.C. 105 from Clark's Creek Road in Foscoe to N.C. 105 Bypass in Boone, where traffic projections showed a need for improvements.
NCDOT then studied the 1-mile corridor from Clark's Creek Road to Old Shull's Mill Road and determined that no improvements were needed along that section.
NCDOT held a public meeting in Boone on Nov. 7, 2016. Representatives received feedback from the community and answered questions about the project.