NCDOT TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARING SEPT. 16 FOR PROPOSED WORK ON INTERSTATE 26 CONNECTOR IN ASHEVILLE
Thursday, September 04, 2008
RALEIGH –– The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold both a pre-hearing open house and public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 16, to discuss the proposed widening and extending of the Interstate 26 Connector in Asheville.
The pre-hearing open house will be from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Asheville Hotel, One Thomas Wolfe Plaza, Asheville. Citizens are invited to drop in and speak individually with NCDOT officials about project plans, as well as submit written comments or questions.
The public hearing will be at 7 p.m. in the same location. The presentation will consist of an explanation of the proposed design, right of way, and relocation requirements and procedures, followed by a time for recorded public comment. Comments and suggestions received at the open house and public hearing will be considered as project plans are refined. Several alternatives are under consideration, and public input will be used selecting the preferred alternative. Comments will be accepted until Oct. 17.
NCDOT proposes to widen existing I-26/240 from the I-26/240 interchange to U.S. 19/23/74A (Patton Avenue) and construct an eight-lane median-divided freeway with fully controlled access on a new location from Patton Avenue to an interchange at U.S. 19/23/70 and State Road 1781 (Broadway Street). The proposed freeway will have 12-foot travel lanes with 12-foot-paved shoulders. The proposed roadway will require additional right of way and the relocation of homes and businesses.
Maps displaying the location and project design and a copy of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement are available for public review at the City of Asheville Engineering Department located at 70 Court Plaza, Room 100-C, Asheville; and the NCDOT Transportation Division 13 office located at 55 Orange St., Asheville. The maps and document may also be viewed at http://www.ncdot.org/projects/I26Connector/.
For more information, contact Drew Joyner at (919) 715-1515, by fax at (919) 715-1522 or via e-mail at djoyner@ncdot.gov. People may also write, referencing Transportation Improvement Program project number I-2513, to:
Drew Joyner, P.E.
NCDOT Human Environment Unit
1583 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1583
NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled persons who want to participate in this public hearing. Anyone requiring special services should contact Joyner at the above address, phone or e-mail as early as possible so that arrangements can be made.
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