ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A section of Patton Avenue is about to become even tighter as construction of the Carter-Ann-Patton Project continues.
The city of Asheville said beginning Monday, Aug. 5, a three-lane closure on Patton Avenue will be initiated “in an effort to allow stormwater crews to safely proceed with construction for the Carter-Ann-Patton Project.. The closure will need to be in effect 24 hours a day while work takes place.”
This area of Patton Avenue, from approximately S. Ann Street to N. French Broad, will be reduced to one lane only traveling eastbound. A detour will be in place for westbound traffic, directing drivers to use N. French Broad and S. French Broad as alternate routes. This measure is crucial to mitigate traffic backups on I-240 and improve overall traffic in the area, the city said.
A communications specialist for the city told 828newsNOW this particular closure is estimated to last 4-5 days.
“As with any construction project it’s weather dependent,” Communications Specialist Jessica Hughes wrote in an email. “If we end up opening Patton earlier or have to extend we will update the media and community.”
“While we understand the inconvenience this lane closure may cause, drivers are encouraged to consider using I-240 or explore other available alternate routes to navigate downtown efficiently,” the city said in its press release. “If an emergency arises in these locations, we will make every attempt to assist emergency personnel with access.”
The city urges drivers to be extra cautious as they may encounter large equipment and other construction related impacts.
Businesses, residents feeling the impacts
While the stretch of Patton Avenue where construction is taking place is relatively short, some area residents and businesses say it’s been a bit tough dealing with the ongoing project.
One resident of The Patton apartments who wished to remain anonymous told 828newsNOW he’s had a hard time getting to and from work, especially crossing the barrier in the street. He said when it rains, gravel often washes into the roadway.
One worker at an area business who also wished to remain anonymous said she’s seen traffic cones floating away during recent storms.
Jan Davis, of Jan Davis Tire, said it seems the recent deluge of storms has slowed some of the process and he wishes work would be a little more consistent throughout the week. However, he said he’s thankful the city has been good with giving notice of updates to the closures.
As a former city council member, Davis said flooding issues have been apparent on this section of Patton Avenue for many years and that the city was talking about what to do even when he was on the council.
“I personally am really happy to see it being done,” he told 828newsNOW on a muggy Friday morning, adding that he believes the end result will be worth the trouble.
Davis said he thinks the road work has possibly hindered some newcomers from stopping by, but luckily, he has plenty of loyal customers.
It’s these loyal customers who have helped the business get through tough times. Back in April 2023, Davis said the shop was badly damaged from a fire that was intentionally set. The shop had to be closed for about five months. Then, construction started on Patton Avenue. Davis said it felt like a “secondary punch.”
However, Davis still maintains a positive outlook on the whole matter.
“We have to live through these things,” he said.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the Carter-Ann-Patton Project.