ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville has been awarded a $585,000 federal grant to study improvements along the Hilliard Avenue corridor, a key downtown route that could eventually connect to the Interstate 26 Connector.
The funding comes through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development, or BUILD, program. The study has a $650,000 budget, with the city contributing a $65,000 local match.
The study will examine whether Hilliard Avenue can be extended west to connect with the future Patton Avenue as part of the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s $1.2 billion Interstate 26 Connector project.
It also will evaluate improvements along the existing corridor between Biltmore Avenue and Haywood Street, including intersections, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, transit access and stormwater infrastructure.
City officials said the planning effort will identify right-of-way, utility and other engineering challenges while exploring options to improve safety and accessibility for all users. The study also will develop preliminary cost estimates and recommend how future improvements could be phased as funding becomes available.
The planning grant does not fund construction. Instead, it is intended to help the city identify potential design solutions, estimate project costs and position future improvements to compete for state and federal construction funding.
The city said Hilliard Avenue provides a critical connection for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists traveling to and from downtown Asheville.
According to the city, Hilliard Avenue ranks among Asheville’s highest-priority corridors for accessibility improvements under its GAP Plan. It also serves as a major transit route and is the city’s only major east-west corridor with dedicated bike lanes.
The Asheville City Council unanimously approved applying for the competitive grant during its Feb. 24 meeting, authorizing City Manager Debra Campbell to execute the necessary documents if the city received the award.
City officials have not announced a timeline for when the study will begin or when recommendations will be presented.