I would like to express my strong opposition to the current NC DOT plan to widen Merrimon Avenue. As a resident of North Asheville, I do not feel as this plan takes the community into account, nor what is best for the businesses and residents. Personally I would love to see a lower speed limit on Merrimon, with more pedestrian access in the form of both bike lanes and safer sidewalks. Let’s put in green turn arrows at each light, rather than a fifth lane.

The local nickname for Merrimon is “Scare-imon” and I sincerely do not want to see this get worse. I think about other five lanes through out the city, and not only do I think of people routinely driving over 50 miles an hour down Hendersonville Rd, I also think of horrendous traffic back ups, and places I try to avoid driving. In fact, we bought our house in North Asheville because it still feels like Asheville, rather than a massive and congested highway of strip malls in Anytown USA.

I’ve had friends who have gotten hit by cars both on foot (while the crosswalk sign was in their favor) and while driving straight down Merrimon. I see young kids walking home with headphones and backpacks from school. I see folks weaving from sidewalk to street on bikes, without a clear and safe route to take. I do not think encouraging more cars at a faster speed limit down Merrimon will be an improvement in any way, not to mention the horrendous mess that will be made during the construction process affecting so many in their daily commutes.

I hope you will take my thoughts into consideration. I know that many of my friends and neighbors agree that we want alternatives to the current and awful plan to widen this road that runs straight through the heart of our North Asheville community.

Thank you for your time,

Amanda Lavallee