Asheville Design Center - ADC's Modification for the I-26 Connector

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I-26 Connector

Community engaged planning for the I-26 Connector. Learn More>>

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ADC's Modification for the I-26 Connector

The I-26 Connector (and related construction) is the
most important public investment decision facing WNC
in our lifetime.

The following is a rendering by Hamilton Cort of the Design Center's modification:

And a photograph of the model that can be seen at the Design Center:

Our modification provides the opportunity to:

Separate local and Interstate (I-240 & I-26) traffic
Promote urban and economic development which could transform the regional economic base
Connect Downtown to West Asheville and Emma
Transform Patton Avenue/Smoky Park Bridge into a boulevard with pedestrian access
Provide a place for downtown to grow as recommended in the 2025 plan
Increase City, County, and State tax bases
Include pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit options
Directly access the Wilma Dykeman RiverLink Plan
Redevelop Brownfield areas
Reduce visual and auditory impact
Reclaim surplus right-of-way

In addition, our modification allows the design of a unique signature bridge across the French Broad River.
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This image clearly shows that NC DoT Alternative #4 (Blue) requires taking far more land, more bridges, has complex interchanges, and much greater area of asphalt than our modification (Yellow).