Hendersonville Lightning: Sale of rail corridor for Ecusta Trail could close in May

From the Lightning: John Mitchell, the county's director of business and community development, said the pieces of the [Hendersonville-to-Brevard rail line for the Ecusta Trail] project are falling into place or imminent, including the transfer of ownership of the tracks from Blue Ridge Railroad Co. to Conserving Carolina. "Our intention is to develop a longterm...

Hendersonville Lightning: Sign is up, speed is down in Flat Rock

From the Lightning: An effort over many years to lower the speed limit in the leisurely paced Village of Flat Rock has come to fruition. The NCDOT erected the new speed limit signs this week lowering the speed from 35 to 25 mph from Woodfield Inn Lane to just north of the Flat Rock Playhouse...

NC FIRST commission report & findings

The NC FIRST Commission was created to research and advise the North Carolina secretary of transportation about potential ways of developing a "sustainable long-range transportation investment strategy." The commission's final report and findings were released on​ January 8, 2021. (FIRST stands for "Future Investment Resources for Sustainable Transportation.") From the report's executive summary: The NC FIRST Commission was...

Update on the N. Highland Lake Road project (U-5887)

Time is drawing close for the N. Highland Lake Road project to begin. Without the support of the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Board, the Flat Rock Village Council was unable to get the N. Highland Lake Road project cancelled. Here are some updates on the construction timeline and project cost: Construction timeline:NCDOT to let the project...

Times-News: Our view: On board for Ecusta Trail

From the Times-News editorial page: "Henderson County commissioners deserve the community’s thanks for backing the Ecusta Trail project with a $7 million loan to Conserving Carolina. The local land trust on Oct. 27 entered a contract with Blue Ridge Southern Railroad LLC, a division of WATCO Companies, to begin purchasing the Henderson County portion of...

Speed limit change on Greenville Highway

At the December 10 village council meeting, the council voted to accept Ordinance 108. The council had requested that NCDOT look into lowering the speed limit on this section of Greenville Highway several months ago. After studying the traffic in this area, NCDOT agreed to the council's request to lower the speed limit to 25...

Mud Creek Greenway Feasibility Study

Check out, take the survey, and comment on the Henderson County Mud Creek Greenway Feasibility Study. The deadline is November 16. Maps, information, and the survey are available here.

West Blue Ridge Road closed

Damage from last week's flooding has closed West Blue Ridge Road near the Mill House Lodge. It will be at least several weeks before the road will be open to through-traffic.

Farewell newsletter from State Rep. Chuck McGrady (NC House district 117)

Rep. Chuck McGrady's farewell newsletter.

Hendersonville Lightning: Applicant withdraws request for asphalt plant

The asphalt company owner seeking a rezoning to allow an asphalt plant in East Flat Rock has withdrawn the application. . . The proposed plant had set off a broad-based opposition campaign from neighbors, environmental activists, summer camp owners and others, saying that the plant would cause air pollution and water pollution, hurt property values...

Coffee with a transportation planner

Time for another round of Coffee with a Transportation Planner (held now via Facebook Live). Join French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) staff on October 14 at 1:30 p.m. to discuss ongoing initiatives in transportation development in our region.

Public hearing on asphalt plant re-zoning request

Who: Henderson County Board of Commissioners What: Special Meeting - Public Hearing for consideration of re-zoning application for asphalt plant in East Flat Rock When: October 1, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. Where: Technology Education and Development Center, Blue Ridge Community College (49 E. Campus Drive, Flat Rock)

Hendersonville Lightning: NCDOT seeks to delay $292 million in road projects in Henderson County

Unfortunately, the N. Highland Lake Road project seems to be one of the few not delayed. From the Lightning: "Nearly all the major state highway projects scheduled for construction in Henderson County would be postponed — some for years — under a recommendation the cash-strapped NCDOT has sent to regional planning agencies. The project delays...

Hendersonville Lightning: MPO awards $7 million for Ecusta Trail, Clear Creek Greenway construction

A regional transportation planning agency on Thursday awarded $7 million worth of greenway construction money to Henderson County — roughly $5 million for the first 5¾ miles of the Ecusta Trail and $2 million for the Clear Creek Greenway in Hendersonville. The French Broad MPO voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of a committee that...

Hendersonville Lightning: MPO rolls out plan for 150-mile Hellbender Trail

A 150-mile network of trails across five counties would include the proposed Ecusta Trail, the Oklawaha Trail from Blue Ridge Community College to Westfeldt Park and a link from Westfeldt Park to Brevard, the Henderson County Transportation Advisory Committee learned last week. The plan is unfunded and a long way from becoming a reality. Of...

Hendersonville Lightning: Village Council dumps $40,000 bike-ped plan

The Flat Rock Village Council voted last week to kill a $40,000 bicycle-pedestrian study that envisioned an ambitious network of greenways and sidewalks linking popular destinations along public roads and through undeveloped land. The board’s action was the latest in a series of moves by the newly elected council majority to roll back or kill...

Hendersonville Lightning: Planning Board turns thumbs down on asphalt plant

Short-circuiting a long night and dozens of comments at a public hearing, the Henderson County Planning Board voted to recommend that the Board of Commissioners deny a rezoning request that would permit an asphalt  plant in East Flat Rock. . .

Hendersonville Lightning: McGrady will resign from House to take NCDOT board seat

From the Hendersonville Lightning: State Rep. Chuck McGrady said Saturday he plans to resign from his House seat next month before taking a seat on the North Carolina Board of Transportation. . . McGrady has a substantial portfolio in road planning and transportation policy. He served on the Georgia Board of Transportation, was chair of...

Public comment period on the French Broad River MPO Hellbender Regional Trail Plan

From the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), a public comment period is open now until August 21 on a plan for a regional trail network, the Hellbender Regional Trail. This plan puts together the various bicycle, pedestrian, and greenway plans developed locally in Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties. You can view...