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

More happenings in Raleigh, from the other chamber.

October newsletter from State Sen. Chuck Edwards

Happenings in Raleigh.

Will N. Highland Lake Road be widened?

If the N. Highland Lake Road project (NCDOT project U-5887) is done, yes, the road overall will be wider. Each lane will remain 11 feet, but the overall roadbed is being widened, significantly in places. Right now the roadbed is 22 ft overall in Flat Rock (west of the railroad tracks) with the exception of the...

Hendersonville Lightning: McGrady dubious about NCDOT bailout

From the Hendersonville Lightning: The DOT is running out of money after hefty expenses in recent months. As a result, the House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee voted Wednesday, Oct. 23, for two major funding initiatives, in a revamped version of H.B. 967. Some say the funding is necessary to avoid laying off 500-600 workers and delaying...

T-N: Greenville Highway roundabout project extended in Flat Rock

Timeline extended again. From today's Times-News: Completion of the roundabout project on Greenville Highway has been pushed to the end of November after it was initially anticipated the route would reopen by mid-October. David Uchiyama, a spokesperson for the N.C. Department of Transportation, said the Graham County Land Co., the contractor on the project, indicates...

T-N op-ed: Not silent on this

A response by Anne Coletta, CLG president, in today's Times-News: Flat Rock Village Council Member Albert Gooch, in his Oct 13 op-ed, “Coletta is costing village’s taxpayers,” wrote that the Cultural Landscape Group (CLG) was silent about alerting the village council to our concerns about the constitutionality of the village’s sign control ordinance and that...

Status of the Greenville Highway roundabout at Erkwood/Shepherd on Oct 17

T-N: Rebuttal to John Dockendorf

From today's Times-News letters-to-the-editor: Rebuttal to John Dockendorf To the editor: Over $3,000,000 — that is how many of your tax dollars Councilman John Dockendorf is willing spend for a path to nowhere. John compares No Highland Lake Road to I-26, but there is no comparison. In several meetings with Flat Rock Village Council members,...

Erkwood/Shepherd roundabout update

Just heard from NCDOT that Greenville Highway at the Erkwood/Shepherd roundabout will not re-open until mid-November due to recently discovered problems with a sewer line at that location. So we have the detour for a few more weeks.

T-N: I-26 night work begins in Asheville for widening project

From the Times-News: . . .A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation will close the eastbound outside lane between the French Broad River and Long Shoals Tuesday and Wednesday nights from 9 p.m. until as late as 6 a.m. in order to remove reflective markers. The schedule continues with nighttime closures on Thursday and...

T-N letter to the editor: Real transportation

Real transportation To the editor: I keep seeing bike paths and greenways being called “alternate transportation.” This is a lie. I did make the acquaintance of one person who rides his bike to work. One person. Young. And I guarantee he doesn’t ride it in bad weather. Or if he has to drop kids off. Probably...

CityLab: Traffic jam? Blame ‘induced demand’

This is a complicated subject but interesting to consider: . . . Nearly all freeway expansions and new highways are sold to the public as a means of reducing traffic congestion. It’s a logical enough proposition, one that certainly makes plenty of sense to anyone who’s stuck in traffic: Small communities served by small roads...

T-N: David Dethero, Flat Rock council District 3

From today's Times-News: What are the top three issues you plan to focus on during your term, if elected? Preserving the history and integrity of the village. All our current residents were drawn here because of the beauty and historic heritage of the locale. Taxes should be kept as low as possible while meeting village...

T-N: Anne Coletta, Flat Rock council District 2

From today's Times-News: . . . As one of only two council members who opposed the North Highland Lake Road project in 2017, I realize the importance of listening to constituents and the necessity of researching thoroughly any projects proposed by outside agencies. Flat Rock needs a council that stands up for the village —...

T-N: Tom Carpenter, Flat Rock council District 1 candidate profile

From today's Times-News: Why are you running for Village Council? I love the village of Flat Rock and will work diligently to serve our residents, rather than outside interests or groups. I bring almost 40 years of corporate organization and implementation experience, as well as the ability to forge consensus between divergent groups in order...

T-N: Round 2: Council circles back to NCDOT on roundabouts

From the Times-News: Hendersonville City Council offered no input Thursday regarding three roundabouts proposed for the south side of the city, instead requesting more information before making a decision. Engineers from the N.C. Department of Transportation attended the council’s evening meeting to gather input on three roundabouts proposed along South Main Street, Kanuga Road and...

T-N editorial: I-26 project: Doing our part

From today's Times-News editorial page: The N.C. Department of Transportation has helped to relieve some concerns over its Interstate 26 widening project by pledging to keep two lanes in each direction open during daytime hours. . . Division 14 Engineer Brian Burch summed up what we all need to do in two simple words: pay...

T-N: NCDOT explains I-26 widening project, timeline

From today's Times-News: Work officially begins next week in Buncombe County with crews putting up signs and installing barriers along the shoulder. Construction is slated to start in October and conclude in 2024. . . The speed limit will be enforced at 55 mph through the work zone, even when workers are not present. Traffic...

NCDOT works to shore up Rutledge Drive

Rutledge Drive is still a road that requires a slow speed, but thanks to NCDOT Henderson County Maintenance, the shoulders have been reinforced with added fill to help mitigate any drop-off. There has been so much extra traffic using the road as a detour around the Erkwood/Shepherd roundabout that the roadbed edges have taken a beating,...