Answer Woman: Henderson County road updates? Left turn protocols?

Today’s burning questions concern road projects around Henderson County, and about turning left at intersections. Have a question for our staff? Email Executive Editor Karen Chávez at KChavez@citizentimes.com and your question could appear in an upcoming column.

Question: Is there any update on the North Highland Lake Road project?

Answer: The North Highland Lake Road project in Flat Rock was supposed to be completed by March of this year, the Times-News reported in 2023. That date was moved back to fall of 2024, and now construction isn't scheduled for completion until early 2025, North Carolina Department of Transportation spokesperson David Uchiyama told the Times-News July 3.

Uchiyama said the project is “approximately” 75% complete with utility work being wrapped up in the coming weeks.

As for the culvert below the dam, foundations have been constructed and pieces are to be delivered and placed in the next few weeks. Uchiyama said the work on the culvert should be complete sometime this summer.

The final piece of the puzzle will be draining, paving and fine grading. According to Uchiyama, these tasks should be complete by early 2025 to be followed by a six-month vegetation period.

Question: Do you know what they are doing to South Main Street?

Answer: Hendersonville’s South Main Street is currently undergoing a road diet, according to the city’s Public Services Director Brent Detwiler.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, road diets are usually used to improve safety, calm traffic and provide better access to all road users.

For South Main Street, this means adding bicycle lanes and pedestrian improvements.

Before the road diet, South Main Street was five lanes wide, which is too wide for the amount of traffic on it, Detwiler told the Times-News July 3.

“Being that the Ecusta Trail is set to be complete later this year, the city took the opportunity to implement a road diet to incorporate some pedestrian and bicycle improvements,” Detwiler said.

Detwiler said some on-street parking will also be added.

So far, the city has repaved South Main Street and striped it, including the new bicycle lanes. Detwiler said the bicycle lines are “kind of unique” in that they are not on both sides of the road. Instead, there is a northbound and southbound lane back-to-back on the same side of the road. Detwiler said this is because of the number of intersections that could make it dangerous for bicyclists.

Part of the idea for this project is to use South Main Street as a way to connect downtown Hendersonville to the Ecusta Trail.

“It’ll be somewhat of a seamless connection for bicyclists, walkers off of the Ecusta Trail will be able to reach our sidewalk network to be able to walk up to the visitors center and to points further downtown and be able to shop and dine at their favorite establishments,” Detwiler said.

Signage alerting drivers to pedestrians and bicyclists still need to go up and the city is installing “tubular markers” to provide a buffer between the bicycle lanes and the parking spots. Signals that will be tied to traffic lights will be added as well.

The city is also working to make the sidewalks ADA compliant by adding curb ramps to the sidewalk, as well as completing sidewalk connections.

Question: The Citizen Times did an article back in 2015. One of the questions was if you are legally allowed to enter an intersection to wait to make a left-hand turn. This would be at a traffic light, left turn lane, with either a yellow blinking arrow or just an unprotected left. Is it possible for someone at the ACT to clarify this?

Answer: Chris Knox, a highway patrol spokesperson and first sergeant, said yes, drivers are legally allowed to enter an intersection to wait to make a left turn.

Knox said as long as the driver enters the intersection under a green or yellow light, they have legally entered the intersection and are allowed to complete the turn.

“After you’ve entered the intersection under the appropriate time under a yellow light or a green light and then it changes colors on you, you don’t have to just sit in the middle of the intersection,” Knox said.

Of course, Knox said drivers must always stop at red traffic lights and stop signs and they should stop at the appropriate line on the road.

Knox said while there is a danger in driving, entering an intersection and waiting to turn does not necessarily increase the danger.

“There’s a possible danger driving down the road because driver error is what causes crashes,” Knox said. “I can’t think of an inherent danger by entering the intersection on a yellow.”

Karrigan Monk is the reporter for Black Mountain News and Hendersonville Times-News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kmonk@blackmountainnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Answer Woman: Henderson County road updates? Left turn protocols?