Vehicles and pedestrians should take note of ongoing lane closures at the intersection of McDowell Street and Southside Avenue in downtown Asheville due to construction of greenway and pedestrian improvements.
The work is part of a larger greenway connector project to provide a safer, continuous network of paths for and sidewalks. The current phase includes widening the existing sidewalk on Southside Avenue and Short Coxe to at least 10 feet to become a multi-use path, plus painted crosswalks, ramp improvements, and flashing beacons in high traffic areas. Right turn lanes will also be removed to force vehicles to slow down when turning instead of careening around the corner.
The northbound right turn (slip lane) from McDowell Street onto eastbound Southside Avenue and the westbound right turn lane from Southside Avenue onto Short Coxe will be removed. McDowell Street will remain a four-lane road with a right turn lane onto Southside Avenue and a left turn lane from northbound McDowell Street onto Phifer Street…