ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — City officials announced today that construction association with the Greenway Connector project will alter existing traffic patterns and pedestrian routes at the intersection of McDowell Street and Southside Avenue. The changes will begin this week, Dec. 9-13.

Several lane closures will take place as a result of construction. These will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Friday.

Slip lane switches

According to a press release from the city of Asheville, the following changes will be made:

• The existing northbound right turn slip lane from McDowell Street onto eastbound Southside Avenue will be removed
• McDowell Street will remain a four-lane road with a right turn lane onto Southside Avenue at the intersection
• The left turn lane from northbound McDowell Street onto Phifer Street will remain in place

“These changes will allow for safer multimodal travel as well as continuous sidewalk and crosswalks for pedestrians in this intersection,” wrote Kim Miller, city communication specialist, in the release.

According to Miller, the goal of the Greenway Connector project is to increase safety and connectivity along the Asheville greenway. For email updates on the project, subscribe on the project page.