A North Carolina project that has spent over 20 years in development is finally beginning construction next year.
According to David Uchiyama, spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), the Interstate 40 and Blue Ridge Road Interchange project is scheduled to begin in Sept. 2025. Uchiyama said construction is anticipated to last three years.
The project will convert the current I-40 and Blue Ridge Road grade separation to an interchange while widening Blue Ridge Road and constructing a new roundabout at the intersection of N.C. 9 and Blue Ridge Road.
“The purpose of this project is to provide increased connectivity, access and mobility in the Black Mountain area,” Uchiyama said. “The project’s need is based on projected traffic volumes and growth trends in the area. The project will help reduce congestion and truck volumes in downtown Black Mountain and reduce congestion at the nearby N.C. 9 interchange with I-40.”
The $32 million project will be funded entirely through NCDOT.
The project is in the planning and design phase. Alternative selection, environmental studies and design and plan preparation were included in this phase. According to the town website, the final design for the project was selected in 2021.
The next phase of the project involves right-of-way negotiations and utility relocations. Uchiyama said the right-of-way negotiations are anticipated to begin this fall.
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Source: Asheville Citizen Times
