I-26 Citizens' Coalition
Community Members Fighting in Opposition to the I-26 Overpass Over Patton Ave.
Highly Impacted Neighborhood Concerns
How do adjacent neighborhoods feel about the project?
East West Asheville is the neighborhood closest to the Patton "Flyover". The change in design will lead to greater noise and air pollution to the residents of that community. To add insult to injury, the entire revamp of the I - 26 / 240 corridor was done without revisiting the streets in the neighborhood that abruptly end creating dangerous and poorly maintained surface roads.
Somehow all of the alternatives for the project failed to include adequate access to multi-modal transit services over the Bowen Bridge, the closest shopping plaza to the neighborhood, and redesign the blind curve at Westwood Place and Hazel Mill to make it safe.
Project area of concern - Hazel Mill Rd & Craven Connector
Watch EWANA Chair make public comments to City Council on 4/8/25 (jump to 2:13)
The community is asking for
(short of going back to design 4B):
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Mitigation measures and design for overpass that enhance overall public safety and experience along the Patton Corridor
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SOUND MITIGATION! What budget is left for this? How can we ensure that this is done if cost overruns that are likely?
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Craven Connector redesign with sidewalks and pedestrian access to Westgate Plaza where the grocery store is.
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Improved pedestrian/ bike safety along Westwood, Hazel Mill and Craven Connector including contiguous sidewalks, do Westgate and transit stops before the Bowen Bridge.
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Less drastic/ blind curve on Westwood.
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Maintaining full-grown trees ensuring they do the landscaping work. Contracting an arborist on the project/ regular check-ins.
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Assurances on the bike infrastructure and access to the planned bike paths.
View the entire presentation here