And around we go: Clingman Avenue roundabout under way

Crews have been busy for weeks, re-doing sidewalks and installing bump-out parking areas on Clingman Avenue near the River Arts District. Most recently, lanes have been closed as workers install a new traffic circle for the road, which links West Asheville with downtown. An Asheville resident recently called Xpress to call the new circle outrageous, and at City Council’s May 25 meeting, resident Fred English was critical of the traffic-calming measures. Mayor Terry Bellamy replied that the improvements were a state Department of Transportation project.
photo by Margaret Williams

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About Margaret Williams
Editor Margaret Williams first wrote for Xpress in 1994. An Alabama native, she has lived in Western North Carolina since 1987 and completed her Masters of Liberal Arts & Sciences from UNC-Asheville in 2016. Follow me @mvwilliams

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8 thoughts on “And around we go: Clingman Avenue roundabout under way

  1. FurrowedBrow

    Well, for all the griping about the traffic circle (they’re not bad if you follow basic right-of-way rules and common sense, folks), this area could definitely use something. I used to work in that area, right where the photo was taken actually, and trying to get off Roberts St. onto Clingman in either direction was a pain, especially in the busiest parts of the day. Hopefully this helps.

  2. zen

    I’m one who think it’ll help. People coming down Haywood from Washeville are already in the speed mindset and maybe helps make more stopoffs at galleries and art studios more probable.

    another view: http://twitpic.com/1tpci8

  3. Lee

    That begs for a great piece of art in the center of the roundabout. Anyone know of any plans along that line?

  4. 9-volt

    I have witnessed many accidents and near-accidents at this intersection. It will also make pedestrians crossing the wide street much safer.

  5. Betty Cloer Wallace

    Perfect place for a roundabout, and perfect place for a very special sculpture in the center.

  6. hauntedheadnc

    Or a fountain, especially it being the River District and all. You can never have too many fountains.

  7. Betty Cloer Wallace

    Or a big metal yard-art chicken, it being the Chicken Hill neighborhood.

  8. Rilee

    A fountain would be lovely, but during times of drought would not be conservation-minded, and would require energy to run it. Being resource-aware is becoming a higher priority, so of course it’s forward-thinking to remember these aspects. Let’s go for a sculpture!

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