I-26 Connector Project Last updated or reviewed on March 25, 2026 Happening Now NCDOT’s I-26 Connector project will connect Interstate 26 in southwest Asheville to U.S. 19/23/70 in northwest Asheville. Approximately 7 miles in length, the project involves five sections: Upgrades to I-240 (as well as the interchanges at Brevard and Amboy Roads) from the I-26/I-240 interchange with I-40 to Haywood Road (Section AC). Initial improvements at the I-26/I-40/I-240 interchange and along I-40 between the I-26/I-40/I-240 interchange and U.S. 19/23 (Smokey Park Highway) (Section AA/AB). Interstate highway construction in a new location from the Haywood Road interchange north across the French Broad River, tying into U.S. 19/23/70 north of Broadway Street (Section B). Improvements to the I-40 interchanges with Smokey Park Highway, I-26/I-240, and Brevard Road (Section C). Improvements along Riverside Drive from Hill Street to Broadway Street (Section D) For more information, visit NCDOT’s project page or email the project team at i26connector@ncdot.gov. I-26 Connector Project Aesthetics Committee The I-26 Connector Project Aesthetics Advisory Committee was established as an ad hoc committee to gather information and ideas about aesthetics to make the I-26 Connector project a cohesive and integrated part of Asheville. The City of Asheville I-26 Aesthetics Advisory Committee held public meetings to review information and provide advice to NCDOT and the City of Asheville about aesthetic improvements to the I-26 Connector project. The final task for the Committee was to meet and make recommendations to increase the appeal of the new bridge over Patton Avenue west of the French Broad River, particularly to pedestrians and bicyclists. On October 14, 2025, the City of Asheville and NCDOT adopted the Committee’s recommendations for aesthetics to the new Patton Avenue bridge as part of the I-26 Connector Project. The Aesthetics Committee was thanked for their years of service to the City at the same City Council Meeting. Background The proposed I-26 Connector project was first included in the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) as project I-2513 in 1989. A working group was created at the request of the City of Asheville to discuss specific topics; including but not limited to the traffic forecast, visualizations, bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, design refinements, the creation of an Aesthetics Advisory Committee (AAC), noise policies, and abatement measures. Members of the working group included the City of Asheville, NCDOT project team, the consultant project team, Asheville Design Center, Buncombe County, and a minority community representative. The first working group meeting was held on March 24, 2016. May 26, 2023 – The Record of Decision (ROD) was signed. January 9, 2020 – The Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) was signed. November 16, 2015 – A public hearing was held in Asheville for the 2015 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). December 16, 2015 – The City of Asheville submitted comments for the 2015 DEIS. May 18, 2016 – The merger team chose Alternatives 4B, A, and F-1 as the Least Environmentally Damaging Preferred Alternative (LEDPA). December 4, 2018 – A public hearing was held in Asheville for the 2018 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) August 13, 2019, from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. – Design charrettes for French Broad River Crossing and Flyovers Subcommittee at 29 North Market Street, Suite 610. August 9, 2019 – The Design Guidelines Subcommittee Meeting of the I-26 Aesthetics Committee will be meeting at 171 Chestnut Street at 11:00 A.M. August 27 and September 3, 10 and 24 – The General Design Guidelines Subcommittee (GDG) and the French Broad River Bridge and Flyover Subcommittee (FBR) met. October 8 and 22, 2019 – The General Design Guidelines Subcommittee met. December 19, 2019 – A brief design charrette was held. January 13, 2020 – Bowen Bridge Subcommittee meeting. February 19, 2020 – The City’s I-26 Connector project internal working group met with the NCDOT and their consultant to review the micro-simulation and designs for the east side of the French Broad River. Documents and Information Burton Street Neighborhood Plan Implementation Report October 2025 Resolution of the I-26 Aesthetics Advisory Committee Recommendations: West Patton Avenue Interstate Bridge July 16, 2025 Contact Information Toll-Free Project Hotline 800-233-6315 Olivia L. Pilkington, P.E. Project Manager NCDOT Project Management Unit 1000 Birch Ridge Dr. Building A Raleigh, NC 27699-1582
