New ideas have been applied and comments are being sought by the N.C. Department of Transportation regarding a proposed new interchange at Interstate 40 and Blue Ridge Road in Black Mountain.
The proposed project will convert the bridge on I-40 over Blue Ridge Road into an interchange, widen Blue Ridge Road from just south of the new interchange to U.S. 70, create a roundabout at the intersection of N.C. 9 and Blue Ridge Road and replace the bridge over Swannanoa River.
The project will increase connectivity, access and mobility in the Black Mountain area, and reduce congestion and truck volumes in downtown along with reducing congestion at the I-40/N.C. 9 interchange.
NCDOT will hold a public meeting from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Thursday, Dec. 13, at Lakeview Clubhouse at Lake Tomahawk Park, 401 Laurel Circle, to inform citizens and receive feedback regarding proposed alignments for the interchange.
Preliminary design maps are available on the NCDOT public meetings webpage. They will also be displayed at the public meeting. No formal presentation will be made. NCDOT officials and representatives will be available to answer questions and receive comments. All comments will be considered as plans develop. Comments will be accepted until Jan. 11.
Three options are available after the elimination of a traditional cloverleaf and a tight diamond interchange due to the extensive land required for those designs. Each of the three remaining options include roundabouts on both sides of I-40 with different entrance and exit locations to serve local roads and through traffic.
This version of the project rose through the State Transportation Improvement Program with support from NCDOT, the Town of Black Mountain, and the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization — an organization comprised of local officials including representatives from Black Mountain and Buncombe County.
A current schedule calls for right-of-way acquisition to start in fiscal year 2019 and construction to begin two years later. The estimated costs will be determined after a general design is selected.
Contact Division 13 Project Engineer Michael Clark at [email protected] or 828-251-6171, or by mail at 55 Orange Street, Asheville, NC 28801 for more information or to submit comments.
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons wishing to participate. Anyone requiring special services should contact Tony Gallagher, Environmental Analysis Unit, at [email protected], 919-707-6069, or 1598 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699 as early as possible so arrangements can be made.
Persons who do not speak English, or have a limited ability to read, speak or understand English, may receive interpretive services upon request prior to the meeting by calling 1-800-481-6494.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter.