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Public Comment on FBRMPO 2020 TIP Amendment to delay projects after NCDOT budget shortfall

Asheville on Bikes — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 17:21:30 +0000

We’ve submitted our public comment to the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (FBRMPO) regarding proposed changes to planned transportation projects in our area. Did you know that many important projects are being delayed as a consequence of a large NCDOT budget shortfall?

Read our comment here!

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Aimee: Merrimon is the main commercial area that UNCA students can access by walking. Making a plan that would likely lead to student deaths is just plain wrong

Asheville on Bikes — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 19:07:39 +0000

From: Aimee Ellingsen
Date: Sun, Jan 28, 2018 at 8:34 AM
Subject: Merrimon widening
To: chood@ncdot.gov, mgclark@ncdot.gov

Mr. Hood and Mr. Clark,

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the Merrimon widening. Anything that would lead to increased speeds would be unsafe for the many pedestrians who use this route. There is no need for commuters to go faster in this section of Merrimon given alternate nearby routes (Broadway and the interstate) give people quick access to Woodfin, North Asheville, etc. Merrimon is a street people use for shopping, eating out, running errands, etc — not for speeding home.

Particularly notable is the fact that this section of Merrimon is the main commercial area that UNCA students can access by walking. Making a plan that would likely lead to student deaths is just plain wrong.

In sum, Merrimon Ave is not like other state highways; it is a neighborhood artery.

As such, NCDOT should instead be planning for a complete street that increases safety for the many walkers and cyclists in the small neighborhoods surrounding this segment of Merrimon. NCDOT‘s plan should also allow for connection of our existing and planned local Greenways.

Thank you in advance for making efforts towards a street that will truly serve all the people that use it.

Aimee Ellingsen

Local business owner

The post Aimee: Merrimon is the main commercial area that UNCA students can access by walking. Making a plan that would likely lead to student deaths is just plain wrong appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

Chris: I’m writing as a local property owner to oppose the current DOT plan to widen N Merrimon

Asheville on Bikes — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 18:57:52 +0000

From: Christopher M. Craig
Date: Sat, Jan 20, 2018 at 5:08 PM
Subject: Opposition to N Merrimon road widening wt Weaver to edgemont
To: “chood@ncdot.gov” <chood@ncdot.gov>

RE NC DOT Div 13, TIP numbers U5781 and U5782

I’m writing as a local property owner to oppose the current DOT plan to widen N Merrimon. The proposed plan would increase traffic speeds dangerously, making neighborhood pedestrian and bicycle use more difficult and less likely.

I would like to see a design that required slower automotive speeds, along with a divided cycling roadway, plus sidewalks.

Additionally, I would like to see a plan that continues the greenway under the road. In its current form, the greenway is extremely dangerous at the Merrimon crossing (and it takes along time to get across).

Chris Craig

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Sarah: I’m writing to voice my opposition to your proposed improvements to Merrimon Avenue

Asheville on Bikes — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 18:37:06 +0000

From: Sarah Fraser
Date: Mon, Jan 29, 2018 at 3:21 PM
Subject: Merrimon Avenue Widening Projects U-5781 and U-5782
To: kbereis@hntb.com

Dear NC DOT:

I’m writing to voice my opposition to your proposed improvements to Merrimon Avenue in Asheville (Project U-5781 and U-5782). I’ve lived in Asheville for 13 years and travel this section of Merrimon Avenue at least weekly. In my experience the traffic on Merrimon in this area has not changed noticeably and I don’t believe the volume of traffic necessitates a center turn lane or any widening or straightening of the lanes. Furthermore, these types of changes to the roadway will increase traffic speeds resulting in more accidents and increased danger to pedestrians and cyclists. If you must use your funds and engineering expertise to alter this roadway, please make sure the design:

Incorporates the NC DOT’s Complete Street policy
Meets industry bicycle facility standards
Incorporates the City of Asheville’s 2025 Comprehensive Asheville In Motion (AIM) plan and the Greenways Master Plan
Provides connection to the Glen’s Creek Greenway at WT Weaver Boulevard
Involves the local residents, businesses, commuters and community in the planning and design process

Sincerely,
Sarah Fraser

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Susan: I am asking that NCDOT consider additional alternatives for the Merrimon Avenue widening project

Asheville on Bikes — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 18:15:54 +0000

From: Susan Bean
Date: Sat, Jan 13, 2018 at 2:50 PM
Subject: Comments on Merrimon Avenue widening project
To: kbereis@hntb.com

As a resident of North Asheville who lives less than 1 block off Merimon Avenue and just north of the Edgewood Rd. intersection, I am asking that NCDOT consider additional alternatives for the Merrimon Avenue widening project.

While I appreciate that the current plan will provide a much needed pedestrian sidewalk on the west side of the road, I also think that other interests for pedestrians, cyclists, and area residents should be taken into account. This project seems to fully ignore the city of Asheville’s years of planning for ways the Merrimon avenue corridor could better support the needs of local travelers. In particular, improvements to the safety of the greenway crossing at the W.T. Weaver intersection should be more thoughtfully incorporated into the plans.

I ask that NCDOT consult with the City staff who have invested in planning for this corridor to propose alternative options for infrastructure improvements to this stretch of road.

Thanks,

Susan Bean

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

Asheville on Bikes — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 18:06:06 +0000

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

The post Bess: While working on your revisions, please consult with the City of Asheville Transportation Dept. They understand Asheville’s needs appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

Bruce: I am writing to you to oppose the NCDOT proposed change to Merrimon Ave

Asheville on Bikes — Sun, 25 Feb 2018 15:36:58 +0000

From: Rev. Bruce S. Noll, HMN
Date: Tue, Jan 16, 2018 at 3:13 PM
Subject: Merrimon Widening Project

To: “kbereis@hntb.com” <kbereis@hntb.com>

Attn Kim Bereis,

I am writing to you to oppose the NCDOT proposed change to Merrimon Ave. As an 8 year resident of Asheville Primarily North Asheville and most recently Weaverville I have used Merrimon Ave almost daily since I moved here.

I object for the following reasons:

1) What I believe will be a negative impact on businesses during and after construction.

2) Pedestrian and cycling safety will be negatively impact due to increased speeds and narrower lanes.

3) Ignoring or avoiding the needs of local residents, city studies and recommendations and Federal guidelines for safety.

4) Alternates are not presented

5) Greenway projects are ignored or avoided

I am therefor requesting that the NCDOT do the following:

1) Partner with COA Department of Transportation plans – Asheville In Motion AIM

2) Refer to the Asheville City 2025 Plan

3) Consider the NCDOT Community Characteristics Report

4) Do nothing as this may be a better plan than the one being proposed.

Sincerely,

Bruce Noll

The post Bruce: I am writing to you to oppose the NCDOT proposed change to Merrimon Ave appeared first on Asheville On Bikes.

David: As a rental property owner …We do not need a high-speed pass through road here

Asheville on Bikes — Sun, 25 Feb 2018 15:27:59 +0000

From: David Voorhees
Date: Sun, Jan 21, 2018 at 11:35 AM
Subject: Asheville North Merrimon Ave. DOT Project

As a rental property owner in Norwood Park I would like to make the following comments on the proposed project to widen and alter Merrimon Ave. in the Weaver Blvd. area:

My research shows that there is not significant increased traffic in this area in recent years.

•The proposal would drastically alter the neighborhood character of the whole area without addressing the real needs of any problems that exist: safe walkable and bicycle zones adjacent to Merrimon; safe, well spaced and accessible crosswalks on Merrimon and the feeder streets; and a need for traffic calming.

•The Murdock/Merrimon/Woodward plan as proposed is highly problematic for the Norwood Park neighborhood: limiting quick emergency vehicle access, unsafe crosswalks, negatively affecting residential routing.

•The traffic pattern for the car wash was ill designed for its location and should be re-engineered. The residents should not be adversely affected because of that one business.

•The Merrimon crossing for the Glenn Creek Greenway needs to be improved.

•We do not need a high-speed pass through road here. Rather than fast for some, we need the full scope of the neighborhood addressed: pedestrian, residential based, parks, greenway, bicycle friendly and safe for all.

Thanks for listening.

David Voorhees

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Mary: When the DOT ignores the feedback from residents, it is not appreciated.

Asheville on Bikes — Sun, 25 Feb 2018 15:19:28 +0000

From: Mary Buttitta
Date: Tue, Jan 23, 2018 at 10:26 AM
Subject: Merrimon Widening project – public comment
To: kbereis@hntb.com

Dear Kim Bereis,

I am writing to tell you that I am NOT in favor of the proposed NCDOT plan to widen Merrimon Avenue. I might be in favor of a plan that takes into consideration what the citizens of Asheville want, which so far have been ignored by the DOT. I might favor a plan that connects the greenway and supports bike and pedestrian traffic. But so far I have not seen those plans.

I live on the north side of Asheville for a reason – it does not look like the south side which looks like every other sprawled out city USA. I would like to see a bike and pedestrian friendly proposal and I am just not seeing it with this plan. I don’t want to encourage higher speeds along this road. I don’t want to see the businesses I frequent negatively affected and maybe forced out of business. I think you can do better.

I DO WANT to keep at least one part of our city quaint and with a small town feel and not become a Charlotte. Asheville is already struggling with too much growth and not enough intentionality in planning. BUT the City has spent money and made a decade of planning changes on Merrimon that contradict the nature of this proposed design. So when the DOT ignores the feedback from residents, it is not appreciated.

Thank you for this opportunity and please reconsider.

Best,

Mary Buttitta

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Nancy: There are other suitable, alternate plans that would be much more in line with the needs of the local residents and community

Asheville on Bikes — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 20:10:18 +0000

From: Nancy Flippin and Mindy Allen
Date: Sat, Jan 27, 2018 at 12:10 PM
Subject: Proposed changes to Merrimon Ave
To: chood@ncdot.gov

I am writing to voice my concerns regarding the proposed changes to North Merrimon. After reviewing the proposal by DOT and comparing that to other alternatives, I am NOT in favor of the DOT plan for the following reasons:

the plan does not take into consideration local context and plans
the plan does not provide any real proof of need for this type of plan
the plan does not take into consideration the need for safe design for non-motorized users which should be of primary concern
no alternative proven designs were considered or presented

There are other suitable, alternate plans that would be much more in line with the needs of the local residents and community

Merrimon does not need to be “high” speed throughput corridor. It makes much more sense for Merrimon to be a “complete” street which provides for vehicular as well as non-motorized traffic and is much more consistent with being part of a neighborhood rather than a highway. There are other alternatives to connecting Clearview Terrace that make much more sense that what DOT is proposing. Additionally, the DOT plan does not provide any connection to the Greenway even though we are being taxed to pay for this.

Some of the slow downs and issues on Merrimon could be mitigated by installing turn signals at WT Weaver and at Edgewood–this seems to me to be a “no brainer” to assist with traffic flow.

The roads of Asheville need to be designed to meet the needs of the residents first and foremost rather than being speedways for cars.

Nancy Flippin

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