From: Bess Baird
Date: Thu, Jan 18, 2018 at 10:33 PM
Subject: Merrimon Ave Widening Project
To: kbereis@hntb.com

Dear Kim~

Merrimon Ave is a heavily used north/south corridor.  Several years ago, NCDOT upgraded Broadway to lighten the load from Merrimon.  Some thought and energy devoted to encouraging motorists to use Broadway would alleviate some of the congestion on Merrimon.

I do have some concerns re the Merrimon Ave Widening Project.  I will list some of them here:

*Raising the speed limit to 40 mph.

*Glenn’s Creek Greenway at the intersection of WT Weaver Blvd is currently unsafe.  What accommodations will be made for this popular Greenway?

*Will there be designated crossing areas with “Walk/Don’t Walk” lights for pedestrians?

*A 2’ bicycle lane is unsafe.  The width of handle bars is about 2’.  Therefore, cars and bikes will collide.  That’s a real safety issue!

*Residents of Murdock Ave, a narrow street (after passing the park) with many small homes and young children will be impacted severely with the extra traffic that it would have to endure as a “cut through”.

*Norwood Park residents will have restrictions on their ability to travel locally from Merrimon Ave shops.

*NCDOT funded, sat on the steering committee and ultimately reviewed and endorsed the City of Asheville Comprehensive Bicycle Plan.  The needs identified for Merrimon in that plan are ignored.

*There will be an impact on some homes and businesses.  Please consider the low impact road connection for Clearview Terrace that takes no homes.

While working on your revisions, please consult with the City of Asheville Transportation Dept. They understand Asheville’s needs.

I appreciate your efforts in developing plans for multimodal transportation for this and all future projects.

Thank you!
Bess Baird