City of Asheville partners with NCDOT to build temporary bridge next to storm-damaged Gashes Creek Bridge
City Council has adopted a resolution to enter into an agreement with North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to build a temporary bridge in close proximity to the former Gashes Creek Bridge, which received catastrophic damage from Tropical Storm Helene. Once the temporary bridge opens, the current two-way traffic design connecting Azalea Road to Swannanoa River Road will be removed, and the pre-Helene one-way traffic pattern will return. A timeline for completion of the temporary bridge will be announced once the details of the agreement between NCDOT and the City are finalized.
As part of the Azalea Parks and Infrastructure Recovery project, the long term plan is to build a lasting and resilient permanent bridge. A temporary bridge is necessary in the short term to provide acceptable emergency access and response times and to relieve traffic congestion related to activities at the surrounding facilities.
The City is working with FEMA on an application for reimbursement through the Public Assistance program to finance this temporary bridge project.
Updates on this effort will be provided regularly via the Azalea Parks and Infrastructure Recovery project updates. Those interested are encouraged to subscribe on the project page.
Background and activities to date regarding damaged bridge
The Gashes Creek Bridge and Dam was originally built in 1924 and until Helene was one of less than 10 concrete bridges built in the 1920s remaining in Buncombe County. Helene washed out a section of the bridge, making it impassable. In the following months, the City installed a temporary two-way street on Azalea Road with a traffic signal, returning access to the Gashes Creek neighborhood and the WNC Nature Center from Swannanoa River Road.
John B. Lewis (JBL) fields reopening
Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association (ABYSA), which leases and maintains the fields at JBL, will begin work on the JBL soccer fields in early September in preparation to open for use this fall. ABYSA anticipates opening the first field by late September, with remaining fields opening one-at-a-time until completion of the project in November.
See a Message from ABYSA to the community regarding JBL field restoration and programming.
The City’s commitment to community-wide recovery projects
The temporary bridge project at Gashes Creek exemplifies the City's commitment to community-wide storm recovery efforts. This effort would not be possible without the continued collaborative relationship between the City of Asheville and NCDOT. NCDOT has been gracious to extend their assistance with the design and construction of a temporary bridge.
The City of Asheville is sequencing recovery projects strategically to ensure an efficient and effective rebuilding process. View the City of Asheville’s active recovery projects. In conjunction with storm recovery efforts, the City continues to advance its Capital Improvement Plan as well as bond projects. The integration of these initiatives ensures a coordinated effort to strengthen Asheville’s infrastructure and economic stability.
| 