Asheville Amtrak plan, I-26 Connector ‘most positively received’ projects in WNC; survey
In a survey released by the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization, three major infrastructure projects were highlighted as being the most positively received by Western North Carolina residents, including the WNC Passenger Rail and part of the I-26 Connector projects. The survey report was developed as part of the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Strategic Transportation Prioritization program, which helps determine recommended projects for funding using a scoring system. The survey had 1,761 respondents, most of them from Buncombe, Transylvania, and Henderson counties.
Due to the positive responses and high SPOT score, the planning organization voted to include the WNC Passenger Rail Plan in draft recommendations for funding from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The FBRMPO also voted to recommend five highway access management and modernization projects in Buncombe, Henderson, Haywood, and Madison Counties. FBRMPO Director Tristan Winkler mentioned that the project would ideally receive funding from both NCDOT and regional state partners to combine for the estimated match to federal funding.
Highly Positively Received Projects
Of the projects reviewed in the region, the WNC Passenger Rail plan received the highest number of positive responses, with 79% of those surveyed responding positively to the plan. The I-26 Connector improvements to the I-40 and I-26 interchange were the second most positively received project in the region. The third was the Richland Creek Greenway project in Waynesville.
Least Favorably Received Projects
The survey also looked at the projects with the least favorable reception, with the widening of I-40 from Monte Vista Road to Wiggins Road receiving the most negative public responses. The project is estimated to cost over $200 million, according to the most recent update of the 2024-2033 State Transportation Improvement Plan. It is not currently funded.
Public Comments Highlight Rail Service Excitement, Concerns
The report came with 806 public comments, many of them advocating for better multimodal transit systems and expressing enthusiasm for improved bicycle and pedestrian areas in Buncombe County. There were both positive and critical comments regarding the rail service, with some expressing excitement for improved travel options and others raising concerns about the project’s cost and route decisions.
The line between Asheville and Salisbury is estimated to take roughly three-and-a-half hours, with a significant portion of this travel time dedicated to traversing the Old Fort Loops. While the project has a substantial federal funding component, local and statewide partners are required to provide a funding match to complete the project.
Next Steps in Funding Process
The funding process involves various entities, including regional MPOs, state legislators, and potential tourism funding sources, in addition to the FBRMPO. The goal is to secure necessary funding support to move the rail project forward as a local priority.
