Early Project Development
In 2016, archaeologists, architectural historians, biologists and community planners conducted field surveys of the Sweeten Creek Road project study area to assess the natural and human environments present within the area. Results of the surveys are detailed in a
community characteristics report (2.98 MB) and a
Natural Resources Technical Report.
In addition, surveys for historic architecture and archaeological resources were conducted and the results of those surveys are being used to create the development of preliminary designs and environmental documents. Coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office (NC-HPO) and the National Park Service is on-going, due to the presence of National Register listed and eligible for listing resources along the project corridor.
An open-house public meeting was held in November of 2018 to provide the public with information about the proposed improvement project to Sweeten Creek Road in Asheville (U-2801A). The meeting was advertised in the local newspaper and on the project website, and postcard announcements were mailed to the addresses of approximately 300 non-resident property owners living along the project corridor. The open-house public meeting was attended by 471 individuals and earlier in the day, local officials met including representatives of the City of Asheville, Buncombe County, French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), and the National Park Service.
A public meeting
handout provided background information about the need for the project, the proposed design, and the project schedule.
Large maps of the proposed project were on display, and NCDOT and consultant staff answered questions and listened to input from citizens.