Greenway Connectors

A Southside connectivity improvement project

Overview

This project will install speed cushions and bicycle “sharrows” on Depot Street. On the Southside Avenue and Short Coxe Avenue sections within the project area, the existing sidewalk will be widened to 10 feet to become a multi-use path. “Sharrow” pavement markings will be installed on Short Coxe as reminders that bicyclists are also allowed to use the road.

The purpose of the project is to increase safety for all users of these streets and to create connectivity in Asheville’s greenway network for recreation and transportation use. Specifically, these improvements will connect the future Bacoate Branch Greenway and Nasty Branch Greenway (as well as the greenways along the French Broad River in the River Arts District) to the future Beaucatcher Greenway on Beaucatcher Mountain above Memorial Stadium and McCormick Field. The improvements also provide a safe route to the South Slope area and connection to downtown.

Happening Now

The construction contract for this project was approved by City Council at their August 27, 2024 meeting.

Next Milestone: Construction kickoff in November 2024

Project work will begin on the eastern side, on Buchanan Avenue, and work westward.

Background

This project includes on-road improvements in two project areas for bike and pedestrian safety and wayfinding. The objective of this project is to connect greenways in the project area and provide safe passage for pedestrians and bicyclists from one greenway trailhead to another.

This project is essentially two projects on each side of the future Nasty Branch Greenway located in the Southside neighborhood:

From the eastern trailhead of the Nasty Branch Greenway on the corner of Phifer Street and McDowell Avenue through Southside Avenue, Short Coxe Avenue, Biltmore Avenue, and Buchanan Avenue, ending at the parking lot of Memorial Stadium.
From the western trailhead of Nasty Branch Greenway on Depot Street just south of the Dr. Wesley Grant Center to the southern trailhead of the Bacoate Branch Greenway on Clingman Extension. An extension of the connector way-finding system will be applied from Depot Street to Riverside Drive on Lyman Street.

This video provides a more detailed explanation of the greenway connector initiative. (Construction timelines have changed since the creation of the video.)

Funding

This project is funded in part by the voter-approved 2016 bond initiative. Additionally, this project has received grant funding from the Federal Highway Administration via the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), which is administered by the North Carolina Department of Transportation.