ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Asheville City Council is expected to consider an agreement Tuesday authorizing work on the Craven Street Bike and Pedestrian Bridge, a project aimed at improving connectivity across the French Broad River.
The proposal is scheduled for discussion at the council’s 5 p.m. meeting. If approved, council members would adopt a resolution allowing the city manager to execute agreements with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for the project.
The planned bridge would carry bicycle and pedestrian traffic across the French Broad River, running parallel to the existing Craven Street Bridge on its north, or downstream, side. The project is being coordinated with NCDOT Division 13 and is listed in the state’s Transportation Improvement Program as Project No. U-5019E.
The bridge is primarily funded with federal transportation dollars and requires a 20 percent local match. Asheville’s share of the cost is estimated at about $2.1 million, with total project funding programmed at $10.43 million. City officials said the matching funds will be included in the city’s Capital Improvement Plan during the fiscal year 2027 budget process to align with project phases set by the state.
Under the agreement, NCDOT would manage design and construction, with the city acting as the client. The city would be responsible for right-of-way acquisition, including utilities, if needed, although officials said the city already owns the parcels on both sides of the river north of the existing bridge.
Once construction is complete, the city would assume responsibility for maintaining the new bridge and would need to budget for future maintenance costs.
City staff said the project would improve safety and multimodal access between the two sides of the French Broad River and strengthen connections within and to the River Arts District.