I-26 Connector Project - The City of Asheville

Happening Now

To view the latest information on the project please visit the project page on NCDOT’s website. NCDOT I-26 Connector Project Page

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 I-26Aesthetics Committee shall serve as a voice for interested parties represented by the Aesthetics Committee members and provide recommendations to the City about aesthetic treatments.

The City of Asheville I-26 Aesthetics Advisory Committee will be holding a series of public meetings as needed for the purpose of reviewing information and providing advice to NCDOT and the City of Asheville about aesthetic improvements that may make the new bridge over Patton Avenue west of the River more appealing, particularly to pedestrians and bicyclists.

Committee Members Include:

Ted Figura-tfigura@verizon.net

Lynn Raker-lynn.raker@gmail.com

Ken Dierks-kad427@verizon.net

Mike Zukowski-mikeydives@hotmail.com

Regular Meeting Schedule

Effective July 11, 2025 I-26 Aesthetics Committee Meetings will meet on an as-needed basis

The I-26 Connector Project Aesthetics Committee will hold a special meeting on July 16, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., at the NCDOT Regional Office, located at 55 Orange St, Asheville, NC. The purpose of the meeting is to (1) memorialize the decisions made by the committee during the preceding meetings, and (2) identify the next steps for the committee, the city, and NCDOT.

Public Access:

Watch a livestream on the City of Asheville’s Public Engagement Hub or the City’s YouTube Channel
Call toll-free to listen to the meeting on your phone: Call (855)-925-2801. Enter the Meeting Code: 11534 and follow the prompts to join the live speaker cue.
Have an issue with participating in a board or commission meeting, in person or virtually? Use this form to let us know!

Public Comment Instructions:

Call-In Public Comments: Call (855)-925-2801 Enter Code: 11534. Comments can be made in advance or during the meeting.
In-Person Comments: Public comments will be accepted at the meeting.
Written Public Comments: Written public comments can be submitted before the meeting by emailing: i-26aestheticscommittee@PublicInput.com (closes at 5:00 p.m. the day before the meeting).

For more information about the I-26 Aesthetics Committee please contact Jessica Morriss at jmorriss@ashevillenc.gov.

Agenda and meeting minutes will be provided.

July 16, 2025 Meeting Agenda

June 26, 2025 Meeting Minutes

June 26, 2025 Meeting Agenda

June 18, 2025 Meeting Minutes

June 18, 2025 Meeting Agenda

June 12, 2025 Meeting Minutes

June 12, 2025 Meeting Agenda

June 5, 2025 Meeting Minutes

June 5, 2025 Meeting Agenda

May 29, 2025 Meeting Minutes

May 29, 2025 Meeting Agenda

May 22, 2025-Meeting Minutes

May 22, 2025-Meeting Agenda

Click HERE for the I-26 Connector Project Aesthetics Advisory Committee report to City Council

Supporting Documents Folder for the Aesthetics Advisory Committee

I-26 Aesthetics Committee Meeting Minutes 2018-to present

April 4, 2020 – Meeting on State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO)/Riverside Cemetery

I-26 Aesthetics Committee Report and Presentation to City Council on June 9, 2020.

I-26 Aesthetics Committee Report and Presentation to City Council on February 14, 2023.

Sam Schwartz September 19, 2018 Report – I-26 Connector Project, Final FEIS Technical Memorandum

Sam Schwartz April 2021 Report, Appendix A and B

12-8-2023 Asheville I-26 Connector Phase 1 – Vertical Aesthetics Treatment from Aesthetics Committee Report

Resolution of the I-26 Aesthetics Advisory Committee adopting the Organizing Principles for Landscape Aesthetic Improvements

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 include 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 3:00 P.M. – 5:00 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 27th and September 3rd, 10th and 24th – The General Design Guidelines Subcommittee (GDG) to meet 10:30 am to 12:00 noon; and the French Broad River Bridge and Flyover Subcommittee (FBR) will meet at 12:00 Noon to 1:15 P.M. Current members of the GDG are Mike Zukoski and Susan Loftis, and current members of the FBR are Michael Adams and Susan Loftis. The public is welcome.

October 8 and 22, 2019 – The General Design Guidelines Subcommittee will meet from 10:30 A.M. – Noon at 170 Montford Avenue.

December 19, 2019 – A brief design charrette will be held Thursday, December 19, 2019, 11:00 A.M. -11:35 A.M. to finalize some detailed design recommendations for the Riverside Cemetery Subcommittee of the Aesthetics Committee focusing very strictly on the physical details of the viaduct and the potential fencing separating the future greenway. The meeting will occur at the lower studio at 171 West Chestnut Street. Park on Montford and walk through the yard at 170 Montford to the rear yard lower level of the carriage house.

January 13, 2020 – Bowen Bridge Subcommittee meeting 11:00 A.M.-12:30 P.M. at 170 Montford Ave, Asheville NC 28801.

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.