Asheville Answer Man: Status on Johnston Boulevard sidewalk? Other sidewalk projects?

Will Hofmann, Asheville Citizen Times
·5 min read
Construction on the sidewalk project for Johnston Boulevard in West Asheville is set to begin fall 2024.
Construction on the sidewalk project for Johnston Boulevard in West Asheville is set to begin fall 2024.

Today's burning question considers the Johnston Boulevard sidewalk project and when it might be completed. What step in the process is the sidewalk project at? Have other questions for our staff? Email Executive Editor Karen Chávez at KChavez@citizentimes.com and your question could appear in an upcoming column.

Question: Can you find out when the city is going to put in a sidewalk along Johnston Boulevard? I was told they were going to do it over a year ago and I understand it's been delayed more than once. Don't the students of Johnston Elementary deserve a sidewalk by their school? I've taken the bus there for 2 years and I can tell you that it's a dangerous walk from the bus stop to the school. Please give us a real idea of when they're going to start the project.

Answer: Originally announced in 2020, the sidewalk project for Johnston Boulevard, also known as Johnston School Road, is part of a joint proposal between the city of Asheville Capital Projects Department and the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Yes, reader, you are correct that it's previously faced delays, but it looks like a reprieve for the students of Johnston Elementary is still coming.

The city has recently reported that West Asheville's Johnston Boulevard Sidewalk Project is on its way to the bid process, which is the first major step to starting construction. The project, with a reported $3.3 million budget, is expected to begin construction this fall with construction ending in spring 2026, according it's project page, updated July 23.

The next step is bidding for the project, which will resume this fall, city spokesperson Kim Miller said.

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Originally announced in 2020, the sidewalk project for Johnston Boulevard, also known as Johnston School Road, is part of a joint proposal between the city of Asheville Capital Projects Department and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Originally announced in 2020, the sidewalk project for Johnston Boulevard, also known as Johnston School Road, is part of a joint proposal between the city of Asheville Capital Projects Department and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

"The bid advertisement is expected to be posted in September 2024. If adequate bids are received, bids will then be opened in October," Miller said.

"City Council will then need to approve of the construction contract before construction begins. Once construction starts, we estimate the project will take 18 months to complete," she continued.

The project is proposed to follow the east side of Johnston Boulevard from Patton Avenue until Rash Road, where a crosswalk will lead the sidewalk along the west side to Bear Creek Road. It will cross back to the east side until leading to Johnston Elementary.

A map of the proposed Johnston Boulevard sidewalk project.
A map of the proposed Johnston Boulevard sidewalk project.

The delay in the project was in part due to setbacks related to the right of way acquisition for over 30 different parcels along the road, along with design delays involving utility relocations, Miller said, encouraging those impacted by the project to subscribe for regular updates from the city at the Johnston Boulevard Sidewalk Project page.

Originally announced in 2020, the sidewalk project for Johnston Boulevard, also known as Johnston School Road, is part of a joint proposal between the city of Asheville Capital Projects Department and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
Originally announced in 2020, the sidewalk project for Johnston Boulevard, also known as Johnston School Road, is part of a joint proposal between the city of Asheville Capital Projects Department and the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

This is not the only sidewalk project that the city of Asheville is working on.

Following the approval of the Haw Creek Meadows project, which would abut the sidewalk proposed for New Haw Creek Road, I took a look at four sidewalk projects that are currently working their way through the city's development pipeline.

The proposed $80 million GO bonds, which voters will decide to approve or deny on Nov. 5, will help pay for some of these sidewalk projects, along with other transportation improvements that include further improvements highlighted in the GAP plan and greenway projects.

While some sidewalk projects have recently been completed — including the Vermont Avenue project — there are a few new sidewalk projects currently in progress. Here is where they stand in the process, according to recent updates from the city of Asheville.

A map of the proposed New Haw Creek sidewalk project.
A map of the proposed New Haw Creek sidewalk project.

New Haw Creek Road Sidewalks

First approved in the 2016 Bond Referendum, this sidewalk has been well over eight years in the making and comes after a decades-long community push for expanded sidewalks along the road. After 2023 saw right-of-way acquisition and permitting for the project, construction is estimated to start this fall, according to the latest, July 15 project timeline.

First approved in the 2016 Bond Referendum, the New Haw Creek Road sidewalk has been well over eight years in the making and comes after a decades-long community push for expanded sidewalks along the road.
First approved in the 2016 Bond Referendum, the New Haw Creek Road sidewalk has been well over eight years in the making and comes after a decades-long community push for expanded sidewalks along the road.

The sidewalk will span from Beverly to Bell roads, first following along the west side of New Haw Creek Road and will then shift to the east side just after Dogwood Grove. With built-in accessible ramps and curb cuts, it's estimated to be completed in spring 2026. It has a budget of over $3.5 million.

Patton Avenue sidewalk accessibility improvements project

This is a project that you have probably seen happening downtown as the city installs 480 feet of sidewalk on Patton Avenue between Coxe and Asheland avenues, though the project is in two parts as city contractors have been making a stretch of the Patton Avenue sidewalks ADA compliant as they work on the Carter-Ann-Patton Stormwater Improvement Project.

The city of Asheville is currently working on a sidewalk accessibility project on Patton Avenue between Coxe and Asheland avenues. The project is expected to be finished by September and the trees seen above have been removed since construction began.
The city of Asheville is currently working on a sidewalk accessibility project on Patton Avenue between Coxe and Asheland avenues. The project is expected to be finished by September and the trees seen above have been removed since construction began.

You might've noticed that the city has recently modified and closed portions of the sidewalk in this area, primarily near Thirsty Monk and Jack of the Wood. The reason might be obvious: Construction is ongoing and is expected to be completed by September, according to the project's timeline page. The funds for the project came from the reallocation of $300,000 in Asheville's Community Development Block Grant.

Patton Avenue sidewalks near New Leicester Highway

Another portion of Patton Avenue is also set to receive improvements. Between Louisiana Avenue and Druid Drive, the city is currently in the planning stages of repairing existing sidewalks and wheelchair ramps and installing new sidewalks to connect the area.

The city of Asheville is preparing to repair, replace and create new sidewalks on Patton Avenue between Louisiana Avenue and Druid Drive.
The city of Asheville is preparing to repair, replace and create new sidewalks on Patton Avenue between Louisiana Avenue and Druid Drive.

The project had seen too few bidders in 2023, according to the Capital Project Development Portal, meaning that it will be rebid this year. It has a budget of over $850,000 and does not currently have a construction timeline.

Airport Road Sidewalks

Deep in South Asheville, the Airport Road sidewalk, which will go from U.S. 25/Hendersonville Road to the southernmost exit to the Airport Road Walmart, is one of the two sidewalk projects that will be funded by the $20 million GO bond set toward transportation.

It is in the planning stage of development and is expected to be rebidded later this year, according to the Capital Projects Development Portal. It has a budget of $1.3 million and does not yet have a construction timeline.

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Will Hofmann is the Growth and Development Reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Got a tip? Email him at WHofmann@citizentimes.com. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Answer Man: Johnston Boulevard sidewalk ETA? Asheville sidewalk update