Smart Roads Alliance


The Jackson County Smart Roads Alliance was formed in 2002 in response to a proposal by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to build a new $132 million* highway through the middle of our most precious and beautiful rural county. Our goal since 2002 has been to work together as a community and create smart solutions to our traffic and transportation issues. (* $132 million construction cost source: NCDOT 2008)

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North Carolina Department of Transportation


NCDOT is planning to build the $132 million Southern Loop Bypass (NC 107 Connector) from US 23-74 in Balsam to NC 107 between Sylva and Cullowhee - NCDOT project STIP R-4745 is funded and construction will begin in 2016 unless the public demands other solutions.

The Resolutions

The Resolutions, unanimously signed in 2003 by the representative leaders from all four of Jackson County's incorporated towns (Sylva, Dillsboro, Webster, Forest Hills) requested that NCDOT "remove the Southern Loop Bypass from its long-range plan" and instead develop strategies for "improving existing roads as alternatives to the Bypass". A copy of the resolution and a petitions with thousands of Jackson County citizen's signatures were turned in to NCDOT at their annual State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) meetings to stop this proposed new highway. Despite public opposition, NCDOT is moving forward with this massive new highway project.

Other important articles with background information:
2009 - Smart Roads Alliance Position: Jackson County Comprehensive Transportation Plan
2008 - Construction on 23-74/107 connector could begin in 2015
2008 - Smart Roads Files Compaint Over Southern Loop
2008 - Smart Roads Event Discusses Alternatives to Southern Loop
2007 - Leaders, citizens demand input as road plan progresses
2007 - Southern Loop Opposition Mounts
2007 - Burrell, Setzer Plug Plan for Southern Loop (ignoring public outcry and towns' wishes)
2007 - Southern Loop On Priority List, Transportation Advisory Committee Disagrees
2007 - STIP Includes Funding For Portion of Southern Loop
2003 - "Who will decide the future growth of Jackson County?"
2003 - Sylva, Dillsboro Join Official Opposition to Southern Loop (The Resolutions)
2002 - Smart Roads Alliance Formed
2001 - NCDOT Division 14 Engineer Ron Watson updates EDC on 'southern loop' status
2001 - Southern Loop Feasibility Study Approved


The original proposed new highway project would have cost over $230* million to construct ($26 million per mile) and continued to US 23-441 through Webster. The Jackson County Smart Roads Alliance was instrumental in getting the Webster portion of the bypass removed from the R-4745 plan. (* NCDOT 2001 estimate)

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Friday, February 4, 2011

Smart Roads Meeting (February 8, 2011)

Hello Everyone!

Next Smart Roads meeting, Tuesday, February 8th 6:30 @ City Lights.

Smart Roads gave a presentation to the Planning Board January 11th. We were not successful in convincing them to remove the By-Pass from the County's priority list. However, they did manage to put it at the bottom of their list.

But really, the Planning Board's list is only a recommendation for the Commissioners. The Commissioners are going to create their own priority list. To help the Commissioners prioritize, Smart Roads is attempting to get onto their agenda for their Feb. 21st meeting at 6pm.

I know you all have been real supportive in the past, but this is a new Board and we have to again show them how this community feels about the By-Pass. Again we are asking everybody to show up for the Commissioner Meeting Monday, February 21st at 6pm whether we are on the agenda or not and we'll just have to present our ideas during the public input session that now follows the regularly scheduled meetings.

Here is a link to the Tuckreader article that covered the Planning Board Meeting and their priorities.

http://www.tuckreader.com/planning-board-dot-priorities/

This is a copy of the recommendations we are presenting to the Commissioners.

Smart Roads recommends these projects from the Jackson County Comprehensive Transportation Plan become the top projects for the County.

1. ID No. Jackson 01: NC 107 – Proposed improvements from US 23 to 4-lane divided cross-section south of Lovedale Road .

2. ID No. Jackson 18: US 74 and US 23 Business - Additional ramp to accommodate traffic from US 23 Business desiring to go west on US 74.

Smart Roads recommends expanding the study location for this Western Ramp to include the section of Cope Creek that runs parallel to US 23/74. This will help accommodate west bound traffic from either Cope Creek or US 23. For example, for traffic going west, cars could either take Cope Creek, turn left onto the Cope Creek parallel road and board the western on ramp; or cars traveling on Asheville Hwy could turn right onto the same parallel road and approach the US 23/74 west bound on ramp. There’s an advantage to expanding the study area because NCDOT is reluctant to build a west bound on ramp directly off of US 23. The topography of the area is restrictive. If the study area is expanded a west bound on ramp could become more feasible.

3. ID No, Jackson 03: Us 64 in Cashiers – proposed improvements from NC 107 to SR 117, widening from 2-lanes to 3-lanes with a round-a-bout at the NC 107 intersection.

4. ID No. Jackson 02: Asheville Highway, US 23 Business – Proposed improvements from Hospital Road to NC 107, widening to a 4-lane divided boulevard facility.

5. ID No. Jackson 13: US 441 and NC 116 intersection – Proposed interchange in the area of Cagle Branch Road and Hall Town Road .

Smart Roads also advises that Municipal Drive be added to the CTP. There was a lesson learned when Municipal Drive was closed when they were expanding the Fire Station. Back Street became deficient during peak hours without Municipal Drive which accommodates west bound traffic through Sylva.

Hope to see you all there!

You may RSVP to the meeting: CLICK HERE

Jeannette

P.S. You can now follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
"We are for the preservation of our communities.
We are not against growth and development,
nor a reasonable expansion of existing roads.
"

- Lydia Aydlett, Smart Roads Alliance

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."


- Margaret Mead