From Staff Reports

Several questions from the Daily Planet about the status of a plan to narrow a 2.3-mile portion of Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville — from four lanes to two lanes with a passing lane in the middle and a bicycle lane on each side — received a response from several officials at the North Carolina Department of Transportation in a prepared statement emailed to the newspaper just after its press deadline mid-morning March 28.

The NCDOT statement clarified — and differed with the Daily Planet’s reporting of an earlier projected announcement date (early April) — that the agency expects to announce a decision “in early May” on the proposal to narrow Merrimon from four lanes to two lanes, with a passing lane, and flanked on each side by bicycle lanes.

The Daily Planet, in quoting an anonymous source who has been in much contact with the NCDOT over the proposal and who spoke only on the condition of anonymity, was quoted in a news story as saying, “’We should hear back in the first week of April,’ as to what direction the NCDOT will take on the Merrimon configuration proposal....”

The NCDOT took strong exception with the accuracy of the newspaper source’s aforementioned statement.

In its email inquiry sent on March 25, the newspaper asked the NCDOT if at least three petitions filed with the agency seeking a public meeting to express to the NCDOT the local opposition to the proposal is a possibility.

“Or is it too late — and the narrowing of Merrimon is a ‘go’ … a final decision by NCDOT … that cannot be stopped?” the newspaper asked in the email. “The petitions, as you may know, were filed by the local FOP, local fire fighters union and businesses/residents of the area.”

 The newspaper also raised questions about the NCDOT’s proposals for  “other such ‘road diet’ plans around Asheville, including Patton Avenue and College Street” and to what degree they are — or will be — definite plans.

NCDOT Division 13 Senior Project Engineer Hannah Cook and several others in her unit responded with the following statement to the Daily Planet’s inquiry:

“The proposed reconfiguration on a section of Merrimon Avenue is intended to improve safety and support equitable mobility for all users.  

“NCDOT and the City of Asheville partnered on a project website and open house to provide the necessary information about the project. The survey, which closed on March 22 after being open for more than a month, provided the best forum for the public and organizations to share their thoughts.  

 â€œNCDOT is currently working to review, compile, and summarize the survey results received from more than 3,400 participants.  

 â€œQuestions and comments received from the public will be categorized, and NCDOT will provide general responses to address concerns received. Petitions received have been included in the public input records for the project. NCDOT does not intend to hold any additional public meetings. 

 â€œThe public can expect summarized survey results and responses in April.  

“NCDOT will utilize survey results to help guide the decision on whether to resurface the roadway in the existing four-lane configuration or move forward with the proposed road diet configuration.  

“NCDOT will continue coordination with the City of Asheville in the coming weeks and have a decision in early May.  

“Any future complete streets projects that require reconfiguration of state roadways will include public input opportunities,” the NCDOT statement noted.