Happening Now
The City of Asheville’s Transportation Bond project will be engineering and constructing the following section of the Swannanoa River Greenway. This portion of the greenway was chosen for construction because it is an entirely off-road portion of the study area. This means the City will need to wait to partner with the NCDOT during their road improvements along Swannanoa River Road. NCDOT’s timeline is currently estimated to be 2029 or later.
This video provides a more detailed explanation of Swannanoa River Greenway Project.
Background
The City of Asheville conducted two studies on different segments of the Swannanoa River Greenway.
Swannanoa River Greenway Phase 1 was a feasibility study and greenway corridor design on the eastern of the greenway from the eastern end of Thompson Street and Glendale Avenue, to the City of Asheville’s park complex with the Nature Center, the Recreation Park and the JB Lewis Soccer Fields.
Swannanoa River Greenway Phase 2 was a corridor study, funded through the NCDOTs Bike and Pedestrian Mini-Grant Program for the section of the greenway that starts at Biltmore Avenue and ends at the end of Thompson Street at Glendale Ave. This was a planning study that did not include engineering and design in the scope of work.
Additional Supporting Documents
The City of Asheville Greenway Master Plan
The Buncombe County Greenway Master Plan
The Hellbender Regional Trail Plan
Timeline
It is estimated the construction of the first phase of the Swannanoa River Greenway will begin in 2022. This timeline will be updated when pertinent information is determined.
October 2020 – Base work
December 2020 – 30% Design
June 2021 – Hydraulic Design
August 2021 – 65% Design
September 2021 – Public Meeting
November 2021 – 90% Design
June 2023 – 100% Construction Documents
Summer 2023 – Construction Bidding
Summer/Fall 2023 – Anticipated construction start
Contact Information
Lucy Crown, Greenway Planner
Jade Dundas, Capital Project Director
updated 11/20/2020
