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BY THE RECORDASHEVILLE

Also known as I-26 Connector (NCDOT project I-2513)

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I-26 Connector

The state's rebuild of I-26 through west Asheville, funded at about $1.8 billion. The City pays only for add-ons.

Address
I-26/I-40/I-240 interchange in southwest Asheville north across the French Broad River to U.S. 19/23/70 near Broadway; Riverside Drive from Hill Street to Broadway
Program
NCDOT state highway project (I-2513)

In plain English

An NCDOT interstate project, about 7 miles long, that builds a median-divided freeway linking I-26 in southwest Asheville to U.S. 19/23/70 north of downtown. It includes a new French Broad River crossing, I-240 upgrades, and Riverside Drive work. The City does not own it. The City pays for some 'betterments' and aesthetic treatments and has an appointed Aesthetics Committee.

Where it stands

NCDOT says construction is underway. Section C is to be reprioritized for funding in the next STIP. The City's commitments are limited to betterments and aesthetics, payable in 2027 and 2028.

Next

The City's aesthetic treatments payment ($5,889,024) is planned for February 2027, and the betterments payment ($1,129,400) for February 2028. NCDOT has not finalized a schedule for Section C.

Last on the public record May 26, 2023 (41 months ago). No public update in 12+ months.

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Captain Jeff Bowen Bridge carrying Interstates 26 and 240 over the French Broad River in Asheville, North Carolina in 2025
Captain Jeff Bowen Bridge carrying Interstates 26 and 240 over the French Broad River in Asheville, North Carolina in 2025Photo: Antony-22, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Source, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Stage by stage

Why it matters: Each stage is checked against a public record. A stage with no record yet is shown as not verified.

  1. ApprovedConfirmed, May 26, 2023Federal Record of Decision signed
  2. FundedPartly confirmedNCDOT says it is funded for approximately $1.8 billion
  3. ConstructionPartly confirmedNCDOT says construction is underway
  4. FinishedNot verifiedNCDOT expects completion in 2031

The cost over time

Why it matters: Big projects often get new cost estimates as plans firm up. Each one is shown with the date it was published.

  • Feb 14, 2023 Total estimated cost in the 2020-2029 state transportation plan, as cited to Council$1349 million
  • Sep 10, 2026 Funding, approximate, per NCDOT$1800 million

Timeline

  1. Feb 14, 2023

    Council authorized a funding letter of commitment to NCDOT for City betterments and aesthetics on sections B and D, $7,301,924 (Res. 23-31). Vote: unanimous.

  2. Feb 14, 2023

    Council directed a letter supporting neighborhood (Burton Street, Montford, Hillcrest) aesthetic recommendations. Vote: 5-1, Ullman no.

  3. May 26, 2023

    Record of Decision signed.

  4. Jan 9, 2024

    Consent agenda authorized the additional construction work agreement with NCDOT for sections I-2513B and I-2513D (Res. 24-10). Vote: unanimous.

  5. Jan 9, 2024

    Consent agenda authorized a municipal utility construction agreement with NCDOT, up to $809,020.98, for waterline relocation on I-2513 AA/AB. Vote: unanimous.

  6. Jan 23, 2024

    Council asked NCDOT to lower the design speed on Patton Avenue between the Hillcrest Connector and Clingman Avenue. Vote: unanimous.

  7. May 2024

    Northern section (B/D) design-build awarded to Archer-Wright JV after best-and-final-offer process.

  8. Aug 13, 2024

    Southern section contract awarded to Archer-Wright JV for $105 million.

  9. Jan 2025

    Optimization and Refinement completed; northern section estimate $1.023 billion after $124 million savings.

  10. May 27, 2025

    Mayor and County Commission Chair letter asking NCDOT to consider an alternative design for the I-26 bridge over Patton Avenue.

  11. Sep 9, 2025

    I-26 Connector Aesthetics Committee final report presented to Council after being reconvened for the new Patton Avenue bridge.

  12. Fall 2028, planned

    Southern section contract completion.

  13. 2031, planned

    Project completion expected (NCDOT, Feb. 2025).

Contracts

  • Archer-Wright Joint Venture

    Southern section (Smokey Park Highway interchange on I-40 to I-26 interchange)

    Amount
    $105 million
    Date
    Aug 13, 2024

Money, by stage

Why it matters: Money is listed at its own step, such as set aside, committed or spent. The steps are never added together.

  • Allocated: NCDOT State Transportation Improvement Program (project I-2513): approximately $1.8 billion (Sep 10, 2026)
  • Allocated: City of Asheville General CIP, aesthetic treatments for sections B and D (payable to NCDOT): $5,889,024 (Jan 9, 2024)
  • Allocated: City of Asheville General Capital Projects Fund, bike/ped betterments (payable to NCDOT): $1,129,400 (Jan 9, 2024)

Not verified yet

  • NCDOT has not finalized a schedule for Section C.