Johnston Boulevard Sidewalk Improvements
Johnston Boulevard Sidewalk Improvements
UPDATED 1/13/2022
Happening Now
The project is currently in the design phase, with a final design expected in approximately mid- to late-2022. We would appreciate your thoughts about this project. Please review the project details provided as well as the design maps and provide any comments or ask any questions you have on this project. You can submit questions or comments to vsullivan@ashevillenc.gov or JohnstonBlvdImprovements@PublicInput.com. The project team will provide responses to residents input as it is received.
Background
The City of Asheville’s Capital Projects Department, in conjunction with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), proposes to construct a sidewalk along Johnston Blvd. between Patton Ave. and Iona Circle.
This project is included in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) as Project No. EB-5944 and is part of the City of Asheville’s Sidewalk Improvements Bundle B. The project will use federal funds provided by NCDOT that will be administered locally by the City of Asheville.The estimated project costs are $2,890,520.
The purpose of this project is to improve mobility, safety, and continuity for pedestrians on City streets and provide pedestrian connections to local schools.
Approximately 4,500 linear feet of new 6-foot sidewalk will be installed along alternating sides of the roadway. Striped crosswalks will be used to connect the new sidewalk when crossings are needed. ADA ramps and curb cuts will be installed for accessibility across the intersecting side streets. Driveway aprons will be reconstructed where necessary. The construction will require clearing of some existing vegetation and landscaping. Water meters, street signs, and manholes, as well as private mailboxes, fencing and/or retaining walls will be constructed and/or relocated where necessary to avoid conflicts with installation of the new sidewalk. Improvements and/or replacement of drainage structures and layout will be included. Temporary easements will be used to the extent possible, but some right of way acquisition is required.
Opportunity to Comment on an updated De Minimis (minimal impact) Section 4(f) Finding for the Roger Farmer Memorial Park
In the vicinity of Roger Farmer Memorial Park, the sidewalk is proposed to be located on the south side of Johnston Boulevard. The project would require the use of approximately 0.08 acres of permanent easement from the 9.24-acre park to construct the sidewalk, as well as a temporary construction easement of 0.06 acres. These areas have been updated to reflect design changes within the vicinity of the park. A retaining wall has been included in the project designs to minimize the project footprint within the park property.
The project is being funded through a grant from the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program, which is a program that is included in the Federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act “FAST Act” (FAST Act § 1109; 23 U.S.C. 133). As a facility owned by the City of Asheville, Roger Farmer Memorial Park is afforded special protections under Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act (recodified in 49 U.S.C. 303 and 23 U.S.C 138).
City of Asheville representatives have signed a letter of concurrence agreeing that acquisition of permanent easement from Roger Farmer Memorial Park for construction of a sidewalk along Johnston Boulevard would not adversely affect the activities, features, and attributes that qualify Roger Framer Memorial Park for protection under Section 4(f). Based on this concurrence, the Federal Highway Administration intends to make a de minimis finding regarding Roger Farmer Memorial Park. The opportunity for public comment on the de minimis finding regarding Roger Farmer Memorial Park is a requirement of the funding for the project.
Refer to the Roger Farmer Park de minimis letter for more detailed information.
Comments on this proposed de minimis finding can be made by emailing JohnstonBlvdImprovements@PublicInput.com.
Timeline
Design phase (late 2020 to early 2021)
Easement acquisition (late 2020 to Spring 2022)
Permitting, review (Spring 2022 to Summer 2022)
Construction (Fall/Winter 2022 to Summer/Fall 2023)
Contact Information
It is required that this project is listed for public comment for 30 days. Please provide your comments here.