I-26 connector news

Weaverville Councilman Don Hallingse brought up a good point recently that North Buncombe has had little, if any, input in the I-26 connector talk that has been filtering throughout Asheville for years now.
Even though it may not be planning to alter the landscape of North Buncombe, it would represent a major shift in daily commutes for many in this area. We hope when, or better yet if, the connector comes to fruition that North Buncombe's voice will be heard.
In the meantime, here is news from the Montford Neighborhood Association, a group adamantly opposed to the current plans of bringing the connector through a portion of downtown Asheville.

"The Montford Neighborhood Association (MNA) recently issued a detailed and scathing position statement in response to the NC Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) current plans for bringing the I-26 Connector through the center of downtown Asheville, a project that they say 'threatens the quality of life in Asheville.'
"According to Lael Gray, coordinator of the MNA’s I-26 Connector Working Group, the Montford position addresses not only the negative impacts of the four proposed alternates on the Montford neighborhood, but also raises concerns about quality of life and environmental impacts for Asheville as a whole.
"The Montford position presents a comprehensive statement of support for existing community development guidelines and goals, particularly those expressed in the Community Coordinating Committee report of 2000, which the Montford neighborhood insists are not fully met by any of the current proposals.
“ 'It’s important for Montford to weigh in on this issue since all of the plans will have a direct impact on our neighborhood,' said Gray. 'We want the community to know that the Department of Transportation has made changes to alternate 4B that we believe will have a devastating impact on the river and on the Montford neighborhood, including two large flyovers and an extensive six -lane double-decker highway immediately adjacent to the historic Riverside Cemetery. But we are equally concerned about the detrimental impacts of alternates 2, 3, and 4 on Asheville neighborhoods.'
“ 'This is not a ‘NIMBY’ response by Montford residents, advocating for the plan that has the least negative impact on us, but a statement of advocacy for the preservation of the quality of life in Asheville as a whole,' added Gray. 'We cannot endorse any of the alternates because ALL of the plans violate adopted community standards and put someone’s neighborhood at risk. The citizens of Asheville must stand together in unity and demand that all of our neighborhoods are protected.'
"In its report, the Montford Neighborhood Association demands compliance from the NCDOT with the Community Coordinating Committee’s project design goals for the I-26 connector project, adopted in 2000 with widespread community backing and support. The MNA wants assurance that the final plan for I-26 will meet the provisions of the Asheville City Development Plan 2025 and the NCDOT’s own 'Complete Streets' policy, and that it will not compromise or in any way interfere with implementation of the Wilma Dykeman Riverway Plan, which calls for creation of a comprehensive greenway network in Asheville.
"The MNA also wants action from City of Asheville staff, City Council members, and Buncombe County Commissioners.
“ 'Unfortunately, the Asheville City Council and Buncombe County Commissioners have yet to take adequate steps to ensure DOT compliance with community standards and projects, which they themselves endorsed and supported,' said Karen Kellow, an MNA officer. 'We are calling on City officials to take action immediately to protect the quality of life in Asheville that continues to be threatened by the I-26 connector project.' "