ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Blasting operations were scheduled to begin this week near French Broad River Park as part of a major sewer infrastructure project, city officials said.

The Metropolitan Sewerage District announced that blasting would start Monday, Sept. 22, and continue throughout the week, with possible activity into the following week. Additional blasting will be needed later for construction of multiple river crossings. Traffic will be halted in and around the blasting zone during each operation.

The work is part of MSD’s Phase 1 French Broad River Park river crossing project. Construction crews have completed the first of four cofferdams and are preparing for excavation in the river, which requires rock blasting.

Construction continues on a multi-year project to replace the Metropolitan Sewerage District’s Carrier Bridge Pump Station along the French Broad River, with river access and road closures expected during parts of the work.
Construction continues on a multi-year project to replace the Metropolitan Sewerage District’s Carrier Bridge Pump Station along the French Broad River, with river access and road closures expected during parts of the work.
Construction continues on a multi-year project to replace the Metropolitan Sewerage District’s Carrier Bridge Pump Station along the French Broad River, with river access and road closures expected during parts of the work.
Construction continues on a multi-year project to replace the Metropolitan Sewerage District’s Carrier Bridge Pump Station along the French Broad River, with river access and road closures expected during parts of the work.
Construction continues on a multi-year project to replace the Metropolitan Sewerage District’s Carrier Bridge Pump Station along the French Broad River, with river access and road closures expected during parts of the work.
Construction continues on a multi-year project to replace the Metropolitan Sewerage District’s Carrier Bridge Pump Station along the French Broad River, with river access and road closures expected during parts of the work.
Construction continues on a multi-year project to replace the Metropolitan Sewerage District’s Carrier Bridge Pump Station along the French Broad River, with river access and road closures expected during parts of the work.

French Broad River Park, at 508 Riverview Drive, remains closed because of damage from Tropical Storm Helene and other late-September storms. Officials have urged residents to avoid the area and respect posted closure signs, noting that the site is now an active construction zone.

In addition, the south end of the Wilma Dykeman Greenway near Lyman Street is closed for staging construction equipment and materials. The closure will last about four months, with pedestrians detoured to sidewalks along Lyman Street. Temporary southbound lane closures on Lyman Street are also expected.

MSD awarded a $75.3 million contract in July to Ruby-Collins Inc. for construction of a new pump station and associated piping at the park, with work expected to begin in early 2026. Cleary Construction, the contractor for the river crossing, has been staging equipment and delivering rock to the site since August.

The first of the new pipeline river crossings is scheduled for completion by late 2025.

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