Shared by IRPO–Take the Region-wide Comprehensive Transportation Plan Survey

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McDowell County, Polk County, Rutherford County, the Isothermal Rural Planning Organization (IRPO), and the North Carolina Department of Transportation – Transportation Planning Division (NCDOT TPD) are working together to develop a Regional Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP). This Plan will identify transportation needs and long-term solutions for the next 25 to 30 years, including highway, aviation, bike/ped, rail, and public transportation.

The public is encouraged to provide feedback for the CTP by completing the survey that is available online at isothermalctp.metroquest.com  (English) or isothermalctp-es.metroquest.com  (en español). In addition, a paper copy of either the English or Spanish surveys can be obtained by emailing kfuller@regionc.org. The survey will be open until March 31, 2020.

Shared by IRPO–Public Comment Period Opening for Division 14 Projects

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Drop-in period runs Feb. 4-6

SYLVA – Area residents will get a chance to provide input on what transportation projects they would like to see included in the next North Carolina Department of Transportation’s 10-Year transportation plan for 2023-2032. 

With a goal of increasing safety, reducing congestion and promoting economic growth, NCDOT uses data and local input to determine which projects get funded in the 10-year plan based on a specific formula created by the Strategic Transportation Investments law. It allows NCDOT to use its funding more efficiently to enhance North Carolina’s infrastructure while supporting economic growth, job creation and a higher quality of life.

A statewide 30-day public comment period to submit project ideas will be held between Jan. 27 and Feb. 28. During this 30-day period, the public can send project suggestions in a short, interactive survey found on the 2023-2032 STIP web page.

Also, during the 30-day period, there will be a three-day open house held at NCDOT Division 14 headquarters at 253 Webster Road in Sylva for in-person input about potential projects in Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Polk, Swain and Transylvania counties. Interested residents can attend the open house during regular business hours on Feb. 4-6 to get a chance to submit transportation project ideas and talk with NCDOT staff. 

Residents who can’t attend the open house can still be part of the process by contacting Steve Williams of the Division 14 office at sjwilliams@ncdot.gov; NCDOT Division 14, 253 Webster Road, Sylva, NC 28779; or (828) 586-2141 during the 30-day comment period. 

Projects can be as large-scale as an interstate improvement or as small as a new turn lane or intersection improvement. Projects can be for any mode of transportation, including Highway, Aviation, Bicycle & Pedestrian, Ferry, Public Transportation, and Rail. Please note that the comment period is not for maintenance-related projects such as patching potholes, resurfacing, or ditches. NCDOT uses a different method to prioritize maintenance projects.

NCDOT Division 14 will also collect input from local transportation planning organizations and from its own staff as it puts together its list of potential projects. Project scores and a draft statewide mobility project list are expected to be released by March 2021. There will be another public comment period regarding regional impact projects in Spring 2021, with the same process taking place for division-level projects in Fall 2021.

The 2023-2032 draft STIP will be released in February 2022, with approval by the Board of Transportation in the summer. Projects scheduled in the first six years are considered committed, while projects in the final four years of the draft 10-year plan will be re-evaluated again as part of the next STIP development process. More information on the STIP development process can be found on the NCDOT STIP website.

***NCDOT***

Shared by IRPO–Urgent Repair Tonight on I-240

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Jackson’s Curve ramp closing overnight for concrete repair

ASHEVILLE – N.C. Department of Transportation crews will repair a broken concrete slab on Interstate 26 East/I-240 West in Jackson’s Curve on Monday night requiring a closure of the ramp.

Traffic heading on I-26 East/I-240 West will be rerouted on the Bowen Bridge starting at 7 p.m. tonight. Drivers will be separated into one lane for I-26/I-240 traffic — the route to Cliff Lane and Resort Drive — with another lane for through traffic on Patton Avenue. Transportation officials anticipate reopening the ramp in time for the Tuesday morning commute.

Repairs will address deterioration in a section of the concrete pavement and will help prevent additional problems associated at this location.  Drivers are encouraged to plan extra time into their evening commute, follow the posted detour signs and watch for employees in the work zone.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.

Shared by IRPO–One Night Operations to Slow I-26 Traffic

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Drivers encouraged to use Hendersonville Road late Monday night

ASHEVILLE – N.C. Department of Transportation crews will assist a utility company with a late-night operation on Interstate 26 on Monday night and Tuesday morning. 

Drivers are encouraged to use Hendersonville Road as the main alternate route between 9 p.m. on Monday and 6 a.m. on Tuesday while utility crews pull lines across all lanes of the interstate at several locations.

NCDOT will initiate three slow-rolling traffic control measures on Monday night. 

  • Starting about 9 p.m., drivers should anticipate a 20-minute delay between Brevard Road and U.S. 25 Business.
  • Starting about 1 a.m, drivers should anticipate a two-hour delay between Brevard Road and U.S. 25 Business. 
  • A third control measure may be needed after traffic is released from the two-hour maneuver. 

All operations will also impact westbound ramps from U.S. 25 Business, the westbound rest area, Airport Road, and eastbound ramps of Brevard Road and Long Shoals Road. Westbound traffic should use Hendersonville Road and I-40 West to return to I-26, and eastbound traffic should use I-40 to Hendersonville Road south to the interchange at U.S. 25 Business (Exit 44).  

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.

Shared by IRPO–Public Comment Period Opening for Division 13 Projects

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Public Comment Period Opening for Division 13 Projects
ASHEVILLE – Area residents will get a chance to provide input on what transportation projects they would like to see included in the next North Carolina Department of Transportation’s 10-Year transportation plan for 2023-2032. 

With a goal of increasing safety, reducing congestion and promoting economic growth, NCDOT uses data and local input to determine which projects get funded in the 10-year plan based on a specific formula created by the Strategic Transportation Investments law. It allows NCDOT to use its funding more efficiently to enhance North Carolina’s infrastructure while supporting economic growth, job creation and a higher quality of life.

A statewide 30-day public comment period to submit project ideas will be held between Jan. 27 and Feb. 28. During this 30-day period, the public can send project suggestions in a short, interactive survey found on the 2023-2032 STIP web page.

Also, during the 30-day period there will be a three-day open house held at NCDOT Division 13 headquarters at 55 Orange Street in Asheville for in-person input about potential projects in Buncombe, Burke, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Rutherford and Yancey counties. Interested residents can attend the open house during regular business hours on Jan. 29-31 to get a chance to submit transportation project ideas and talk with NCDOT staff. 

Residents who can’t attend the open house can still be part of the process by contacting Hannah Cook of the Division 13 office at hkcook@ncdot.gov; NCDOT Division 13, 55 Orange Street, Asheville, NC 28801; or (828) 250-3000 during the 30-day comment period. 

Projects can be as large-scale as an interstate improvement or as small as a new turn lane or intersection improvement. Projects can be for any mode of transportation, including Highway, Aviation, Bicycle & Pedestrian, Ferry, Public Transportation, and Rail. Please note that the comment period is not for maintenance-related projects such as patching potholes, resurfacing, or ditches. NCDOT uses a different method to prioritize maintenance projects.

NCDOT Division 13 will also collect input from local transportation planning organizations and from its own staff as it puts together its list of potential projects. Project scores and a draft statewide mobility project list are expected to be released by March 2021. There will be another public comment period regarding regional impact projects in Spring 2021, with the same process taking place for division-level projects in Fall 2021.

The 2023-2032 draft STIP will be released in February 2022, with approval by the Board of Transportation in the summer. Projects scheduled in the first six years are considered committed, while projects in the final four years of the draft 10-year plan will be re-evaluated again as part of the next STIP development process. More information on the STIP development process can be found on the NCDOT STIP website.

***NCDOT***