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Overview > Local Scoop > Archive > 2008/01/13/index

Thursday, January 17, 2008

I-26 Connector Project Approved by Asheville City Council

2:06 PM

The City of Asheville has finally settled on the long-delayed Interstate 26 Connector proposal. The new design plan features a smaller disruption to West Asheville than plans previously made by the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The alternative plan will use much less land and will save the State upwards of $150 million. The major change is a viaduct, instead of the State's planned double-decker bridge.

Members of the City Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday, January 15^th for the new plan and now are pressing the Department of Transportation to consider the alternative design. Dr. Carl Mumpower was the only member of council that voted no on the resolution.

Plans call for a bridge to be constructed over the French Broad River. This new bridge will connect Interstate 240 in West Asheville to Interstate 26 in North Asheville. Asheville City Council is holding its breath on the NC Department of Transportation's approval.

Projected costs have skyrocketed from $87.4 million in 1997 to $363.4 million today, with construction projected to begin in 2008. As of now, construction on the project will not start until at least 2013. The new proposal will be given to the NC DOT Friday, Jan. 18, 2008.

Labels: asheville

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Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Buncombe County School calendars changed for snow days

3:03 PM

Asheville and Buncombe County School systems changed the 2007 & 2008 school calendar to make up for snow days missed during the first week of January, 2008. The last day of school is now June 2^nd, 2008 instead of May 30^th, 2008.

Snow and adverse driving conditions closed all Asheville and Buncombe County Schools on January 3^rd. Adding another day to the end of the school year will make up the missed day. North Buncombe students also missed January 4^th because of snow. Those students will attend the former Teacher Work Day and students in all other districts will not have classes.

Note: The following is from Buncombe County Schools.

Closings and Delay Information for Buncombe County

Bad weather and/or emergencies may require the closing of schools, delays or early release of students. If a change in schedule is made, the announcement will be broadcast by Asheville area radio and television stations after 6 a.m. the morning after. Our website and Weather Hot-line, (828) 255-5939, will be updated with the current information.

Announcements

If no announcements are posted on our website or broadcast on radio or television, the buses will run on their regular schedule and the schools will be opened at the regular time. If an isolated severe weather situation occurs, some schools may close or incur delays, while those unaffected schools will remain open. If more than two of our six districts are closed, then our entire system will close as well.

Early Release

If schools release students early due to weather or emergency, the parent(s)/guardian(s) will receive an ALERTNOW phone notification and announcements also will be broadcast on Asheville's radio and television stations.

• One-hour delay: School buses will pick up students one hour later than usual.
• Two-hour delay: School opening/bus routes will be delayed for two hours.
• One-hour early closing: All bus routes operate one hour earlier than the normal time.
• Two-hour early closing: All bus routes operate two hours earlier than the normal time.

Labels: asheville, events

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Monday, January 14, 2008

Asheville Recycling's New Curbside Contest

1:34 PM

Curbside Management and Asheville's sanitation department are holding the new Feed the Bin and Win competition. Starting the week of February 4^th, they will be giving away $100 a week for 16 weeks. Those people living in the cities that participate in Asheville's Curbside Recycling Program can enter the contest by sending in an enrollment card. The cards and a flyer will be brought to each residence when the 2008 recycling and brush collection calendar are delivered.

Every week for 16 weeks, a card will be randomly drawn and if the selected house puts out its recyclable items and all meet the city recycling guidelines; then the household will win $100. If the household does not meet the requirements, the prize money rolls over to the following week. Each week that the conditions are not met, it gives the winner of the next week's drawing a chance to win $200.

The card and guidelines are available below, and can be turned in via e-mail to sanitation@ashevillenc.gov.

• Enrollment Form (DOC)
• Brochure (PDF)

Labels: asheville, environment

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