I-26 Citizens’ Coalition

05/21/2025

If you were tuning in, you may have heard our own yesterday on @103.3ashevillefm Green Assistant Radio! She spoke about I-26, the charrette, and next steps. If you want to hear Dori’s recap of where we are now, listen to the 5/20 recording at the link below & in our bio!

https://ashevillefm.org/show/green-assistant-radio/

05/20/2025

Charrette Day 3 Recap:

Small groups continued working on designs generated on Day 2. At the end we presented them to the group and Mayor Ester Manheimer who was in attendance hearing our proposals.

Those designs generated include:
1. Patton Ave overpass alternates
2. Lane reduction and traffic congestion solutions
3. Tightening the highway scope by Courtland Ave, Burton St, and Haywood Rd
4. Keeping the Hanover St exit to preserve through-street and the bus stop

We are compiling a report on the generated feedback by 4/24 @ 11:59 pm. While we are including much of the feedback that has been provided to us, we encourage you to also submit your individual comments by the same NCDOT deadline.

Thank you to all who participated in and attended the charrette this weekend. Thank you to all who have supported and shared our cause up until this point. The work is not over yet!

05/18/2025

Day 2 Recap:
Today, we rolled up our sleeves, broke out the trace paper, and got to work—imagining and sketching real alternatives. It was hands-on, focused, and fueled by deep care for our community. We zeroed in on critical local areas impacted by I-26 and I-240 including Patton Ave, Haywood Rd, Hill St, Hanover St, Burton St, Vandalia Ave, Hazel Mill Rd, and Courtland Ave.

Our goals were clear:
1. Strengthen neighborhood connections through multimodal transit options
2. Find potential cost savings by building on existing infrastructure
3. Improve pedestrian safety across the corridor
4. Limit land use and right-of-way needs so our neighbors don’t lose homes to eminent domain
5. Unlock long-term tax revenue opportunities along Patton Ave
6. Separate interstate and local traffic to fulfill the purpose and need of the project

👏🏼 Big thanks to everyone who brought their insight and energy today. The room was buzzing with teamwork, grit, and a shared sense of purpose. Also thank you to NCDOT for sharing project drawings and renderings for us to have at the charrette.

Next we narrow down potential alternatives and shape our recommendations into a report for NCDOT. And yes—we’ll share those findings with you so you can include them in your public comments, due by 4/24 at midnight to NCDOT.

We wrap up tomorrow from 11am–3pm at Hatch Innovation Hub, 45 S French Broad Ave. Let’s finish strong!

05/17/2025

Day 1 Recap:
We kicked off by reviewing the decades-long history of the I-26 Connector. The sheer amount of knowledge in the room was remarkable—we are truly standing on the shoulders of giants.

More than 20 years ago, our community came together to push for a design that uplifts our environment, neighborhoods, and sense of place alongside plans for growth.

The 2000 Community Coordinating Committee (CCC) report laid out clear design goals for the project. By 2006, the Asheville Design Center was formed, and Alternative 4B emerged as the frontrunner design through deep community input.

Today, we carry that vision forward. The work continues. 💪

05/16/2025

Wondering who will be at our charrette at this weekend? Meet and .p.marcus ! Just a few wonderful people who are dedicated to the cause. They are in good company with our vibrant community!

05/13/2025

05/09/2025

04/30/2025

Hi friends, with lots of new followers, we wanted to introduce ourselves. We are the I-26 Citizens Coalition, a group of committed residents, professionals, local organizations and businesses advocating for the preservation of community-approved design for the I-26 Connector project.

NCDOT has demonstrated that they are willing to disregard our input, illegally change designs without informing the public or re-evaluating obvious changes to the environmental impact of the project. We must hold NCDOT accountable to follow due process of the law as they build this interstate through the middle of our community.

While changes to Patton Ave were the most egregious, we are advocating for better design to minimize impacts on communities and increase connectivity. This includes Hillcrest, Craven Connector in EWANA, Burton St, greenways, and more.

Sign our petition (link in bio) and join the coalition to amplify our concerns with the current designs.

04/25/2025

So you might be wondering….what’s next?

04/24/2025

https://mountainx.com/opinion/letter-dont-miss-i-26-connector-session/

"This project, while intended to improve regional connectivity, will undoubtedly have a significant and lasting impact on the character and landscape of West Asheville."

04/23/2025

04/23/2025

DOT is moving forward with a massive overpass through the middle of West Asheville despite decades of pushback from the citizens of Asheville. THIS WON'T FLY.

Join us at the Renaissance Hotel tomorrow between 4-7pm (drop-in at any time) to voice your concerns and ask questions to DOT directly.