This alert and request for action is sent by the
I-26 Connector Awareness Group ( by email at i26group@gmail.com and at www.i26group.org/ ) .
THE 8 LANES PLANNED FOR I-240 THRU WEST ASHEVILLE
This could be our last chance for input!
Below are:
*Criteria for evaluating the I-26 Connector alternatives
*Information regarding the public meeting
*Sample Letter
*Contact information (addresses)
***CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING THE I-26 CONNECTOR PROJECT
1) Separation of local and interstate traffic
2) Compatibility with long term community planning goals stated in adopted plans
3) Incorporation of community-selected design features
4) Minimization of impact on neighborhoods and local businesses
5) Match the scale of the project to the unique character of the City
6) Reunification and connectivity of community
All of these criteria come directly from the Community Coordinating Committee (CCC) Report of September 2000, which was adopted by the City of Asheville and the Metropolitan Planning Organization as their official guiding document for the I-26 Connector Project.
***PUBLIC MEETING INFORMATION
A PUBLIC HEARING will take place on TUESDAY SEPT 16 th. at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel, One Thomas Wolfe Plaza in downtown Asheville. Schedule:
3:00 – 6:30 pm - Pre-Hearing Open House with visualizations, images, and DOT representatives
7:00 pm - Formal Presentation by DOT followed by statements and comments from the public
-There are four alternative routes offered by the DOT. The best one for Asheville is 4B. It is the only route that has been supported by the community and incorporates the concepts of the Asheville Design Center plan.
-All alternatives incorporate 8 lanes thru the West Asheville portion of I-26/I-240. Tell the DOT to examine options other than 8 lanes.
WRITTEN COMMENTS ARE IMPORTANT AS WELL!
They become part of the public record and must be considered.
It is up to us, the citizens of Asheville, to tell NCDOT that we want a design that truly serves the community. Let’s make the Connector work for Asheville!
Mr. Drew Joyner, P.E. NC Department of Transportation
1583 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1583
Dear Mr. Joyner
As a resident of Asheville, I am very concerned about the dramatic impact the I-26 Connector will have on our community. It is a massive project that will impact us and future generations significantly. Specifically, I wish to comment on the route the I-26 Connector will take through our city, and the proposed 8 lanes through West Asheville.
Among the routes for the Connector as it crosses the French Broad River, I am voicing my support for Alternative 4B. I urge you to include it in the Environmental Impact Statement and choose it for the final design. Alternate Route 4B offers the following advantages to our community :
provides for Patton Ave as a gateway boulevard
re-unites West Asheville with Asheville
creates Smokey Park bridge for local traffic, bicyclists,
pedestrians and transit
Uses the smallest footprint , takes up about 100 fewer acres than the other routes
cuts the cost of the project in land purchase
leaves significantly more acres on the tax rolls
land can be used for housing and commercial space
The community has shown its support for this route
local Asheville Design Center developed the key
concepts of the plan
Asheville City Council and Buncombe County
Commissioners supported the concepts of 4B by
allocating $70,000 to study the plan
Asheville Citizen-Times Editorial of 8/24/08 endorses
the key concepts
While there are many improvements still necessary in Alternate 4B, I urge you to choose this route, and then work with our community to resolve aspects that are problematic.
I oppose the 8 travel-lanes through West Asheville included in ALL alternatives.
2002 traffic studies show convincing proof that 8 lanes
are not necessary
2008 traffic studies are not included in the current EIS,
showing that driving habits are dramatically changing
12-13 lanes are planned for the West Asheville-I-240 intersection
I ask that you examine options and possibilities other than 8 lanes, and include those studies in the Environmental Impact Statement.
I trust you will carefully consider my concerns and include them in the public record.
Thank you. Sincerely,
(your name)
***CONTACT INFORMATION
All comments on the I-26 Connector Project should be submitted by October17th in writing (email is fine) to
Mr. Drew Joyner, P.E.
NCDOT
1583 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1583
919-715-1515
919-715-1522 (fax)
In addition, it would be helpful to send copies of your comments to members of Asheville City Council and to the Buncombe County Commissioners. Contact information is in an attachment below.
Asheville City Council
Mayor Terry M. Bellamy .
P.O. Box 7148,
Asheville, NC 28802
Phone: (828) 259-5600
Fax: (828) 259-5499
E-mail: mayorbellamy@ashevillenc.gov
Councilmember Holly Jones .
322 Westover Dr.,
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: (828) 281-4804
Fax: (828) 281-4804
E-mail: hollyj@buncombe.main.nc.us
Councilmember Robin Cape
30 Hickory St.,
Asheville, NC 28804
Phone: (828) 216-4009
E-mail: rcape@charter.net
Vice Mayor Jan Davis
209 Patton Ave.,
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: (828) 253-5634
Fax: (828) 253-8029
E-mail: jandavis@main.nc.us
Councilmember Carl Mumpower
1 Oak Plaza, Suite 309,
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: (828) 252-8390
E-mail: drmumpower@aol.com
Councilmember Brownie Newman
4 Arborvale Rd.,
Asheville, NC 28801
Phone: (828) 243-0107
E-mail: newmanasheville@aol.com
Councilmember Bill Russell
E-mail: billrussell@charter.net
Buncombe County Commission
Commissioner Nathan Ramsey
Phone: (828) 628-1643
Cell: (828) 768-3216
Fax: (828) 255-5535
Email: nathan.ramsey@buncombecounty.org
Commissioner David Gantt
Phone: (828) 252-2852
Fax: (828) 254-4539
Email: commissioner@davidgantt.com
Commissioner Bill Stanley
Phone: (828) 250-4007
Fax: (828) 255-5535
Email: bill.stanley@buncombecounty.org
Commissioner Carol Peterson
Phone: (828) 250-4007
Fax: (828) 255-5535
Email: carol.peterson@buncombecounty.org
Commissioner David Young
Phone: (828) 274-2555
Fax: (828) 274-4212
Email: davidy@fugazync.com
By email we can be reached at i26group@gmail.com , and visit www.i26group.org for more information.