Asheville City Council Receives Presentation on Completed Merrimon Avenue Road Diet

Asheville City Council Receives Presentation on Completed Merrimon Avenue Road Diet

After two years of public opinions, discussions, and deliberations on the Merrimon Avenue road diet, the N.C. Department of Transportation is now ready to present its preliminary findings. The project, which began in 2022, saw a segment of the Merrimon Avenue reduced from four lanes to three, as part of an initiative to improve road safety, boost mobility, and document traffic trends along the highway stretch between UNC Asheville and Beaver Lake.

According to the initial safety data, there has been a marked improvement in road safety. Total crashes have reduced by 23%, while injury-related crashes have gone down by 30% since the road diet’s implementation. Furthermore, data shows that average car speeds have dropped from 3 to 5 mph.

Boost in Mobility and Bicycle Use

Findings by the N.C. Department of Transportation revealed that the average travel time has increased slightly during the 5 p.m. rush hour, rising by 2-14 seconds. However, the benefits to pedestrian safety and cyclist activity might compensate for these additional travel times. Preliminary reports indicate that bicycle volume has seen an increase at 11 of the 12 data collection points along the reconfigured roadway. At the northern end of the road diet segment, bicycle use had a notable 269% increase.

Other Matters at the City Council

Upcoming council meetings will feature four public hearings, including a resolution to permanently close an unopened right-of-way at 34 Hiawassee St., located behind Harrah’s Cherokee Center. The resolution aims to provide space for a land exchange with Duke Energy. This action would promote Duke’s plans to rebuild the downtown substation and make way for potential expansion plans for the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, Harrah’s Cherokee Center-Asheville, and other potential projects along Rankin Avenue.

Upcoming Council Meeting: Key Highlights

The meeting’s consent agenda contains 27 items set to be approved as a package unless anyone wishes to discuss them separately. Some key highlights include:

• A resolution to accept the 2023 Assistance to Firefighters Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for wildland fire personal protective equipment (PPE). The grant would significantly reduce the purchase cost for the city.
• A proposal to use U.S. Dept. of Energy Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant funds for the purchase of electric vehicles for the city’s fleet. This grant would offset the cost of electric vehicle purchases and support the implementation of the Municipal Climate Action Plan.
• A resolution to permanently close an open right-of-way along approximately 140 feet of Sawyer Street, connecting two parcels. This closure would enable Buncombe County to access additional federal affordable housing tax incentives.

The upcoming council meeting will be held at 5 p.m., in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Additionally, it will be live-streamed on Asheville’s public engagement hub and the city’s YouTube channel.

The public can listen to the live proceedings by calling via the provided number and using the meeting code. Attendance is necessary for anyone wishing to speak during the meeting. Written comments or voicemail messages can be sent using the indicated contact information. At all times, general comments for City Council are welcomed and can be sent to the provided email address.