Description
The I-26 Connector project is an interstate freeway project that would connect I-26 in southwestern Asheville to US 19-23-70 in northwest Asheville and have a total length of approximately 7 miles. The proposed I-26 Connector would be a concrete median-divided freeway, accessible only by interchanges.
The project would extend I-26 from I-40 to US 19-23-70 and would allow for the eventual designation of I-26 from Charleston, South Carolina to Kingsport, Tennessee.
The project involves four sections:
- Sections AA and AB includes initial improvements at I-26/I-40/I-240 interchange and along I-40 between I-26/I-40/I-240 interchange and U.S. 19/23 (Smokey Park Highway).
- Section AC involve upgrading I-240 from the I-26/I-240 interchange with I-40 to Haywood Road (as well as interchanges at Brevard and Amboy roads).
- Section B includes widening I-240 from the Haywood Road interchange north to Patton Avenue, building the interstate on a new location from the Patton Avenue interchange north across the French Broad River, and tying into U.S. 19/23/70 south of Broadway Street.
- Section C involves improvements to the I-40 interchanges with Smokey Park Highway, I-26/I-240, and Brevard Road.
- Section D involves improvements along Riverside Drive from Hill Street to Broadway Street.
According to the NCDOT, the proposed project would upgrade the interstate corridor to meet current design standards for the interstate system, improve system linkage by connecting I-26 south of Asheville with US 19-23-70, address traffic capacity problems along with the existing I- 240 corridors (future I-26), and increase the remaining useful service of the Captain Jeff Bowen Bridges.
While property owners along the project’s 7-mile path may be relieved that it’s finally underway, they may also be worried about the damage it could do to their homes, land, and businesses. Initial offers are being made right now on the AA, AB & AC sections. More than 300 owners will be affected by the project.
If your residence, property, and/or business will be affected, it’s time to act now. It’s been our experience that the NCDOT’s first offer may not be their best offer.
Contact an experienced North Carolina eminent domain attorney handling Asheville I-26 Connector cases to help you seek maximum compensation.
This is a significant project for the NCDOT with over $1.42 billion dollars expected to be spent on property acquisition, utility work, and construction combined. As of February 2023, the NCDOT has budgeted about $168 million for the right of way (property acquisitions). Offers are currently being made, and preliminary work is underway on parts of the project path. If you have not yet noticed any construction, more of the project is set to begin in Fall of 2023.
If the NCDOT is taking your property as part of the I-26 Connector project, call us at 1-877-393-4990 or contact us online for a free case evaluation. We have a no-cost guarantee – you won’t pay us anything unless we collect an increased offer for your property. And then, our fee only applies to the increase we can negotiate for you. It’s a win-win situation.