Notice from Land of Sky Regional Council:
The French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), City of Asheville, and Buncombe County are currently working on a Tunnel Road Corridor Study for a section of US 70 (Tunnel Road) and US 74A (South Tunnel Road) from the Beaucatcher Tunnel to NC 81 (Swannanoa River Road) in Asheville. A corridor study, in general, allows a project team to provide a high-level analysis of the study area early in the planning process so the community and stakeholders can be engaged to help determine a vision for the future of the corridor and its surroundings. The Tunnel Road Corridor Study will examine this roadway and propose strategies relating to congestion, pedestrian and bicyclist safety, transit access, and connectivity along and across the road. To accomplish this, the project team will be collaborating closely with Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, the MPO, NCDOT, as well as representatives of the communities and institutions along Tunnel Road.
At this point in the process, we would like to invite the public and any interested citizens to join a virtual public meeting onWednesday, April 14th from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM for information and to provide feedback on the recommendations being considered along the corridor. Your input can help shape the future of this corridor! To join the meeting, click the following link on the 14th at 5:30 PM: https://zoom.us/j/97597465591
The Tunnel Road corridor is 1.75 miles, generally in a five-lane configuration with sidewalks in some sections and fixed-route transit service throughout the corridor. With its proximity to Downtown and role in connecting the regional road and transit network, the corridor plays a significant role in regional mobility. As Buncombe County continues to grow, more development along the corridor is expected. The land use context along the corridor has changed significantly over the last few decades with numerous new retail and multi-family residential projects being developed. What was formerly just a north-south arterial is now seeing an increased demand for access to adjacent, developing properties. As a new decade begins, a better understanding of how this corridor performs is needed to lay out a vision for a complete, multi-modal Tunnel Road that improves the quality of life and safety for all users and residents.
A flyer for the public meeting is attached.
For more information, check out the project’s page on the MPO website: http://frenchbroadrivermpo.org/tunnel-road-corridor-study/
A facebook event with meeting information is available here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1646296165557903
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