The French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization is accepting public comment on its programming of state and federal funds for transportation for fiscals 2009-2015. A copy legible to those with big screen computers is available online, and a public hearing will be held for non-working-class citizens at 12:10 pm at the Land of Sky Regional Council offices, September 18. Comments are also being accepted at [email protected]
The plan promises tons of bridge replacements, a few road widenings, economic development, “ecosystem enhancement for project mitigation,†and several greenways and bicycle amenities. Other items of note include:
• Interpretive and gateway markers for Blue Ridge National Heritage Sites ($469,000)
• Pack Square Renaissance streetscape providing better balance between pedestrians and vehicles. ($140,000)
• Streetscape enhancements on Clingman Avenue with a parallel greenway ($172,000)
• Various streetscaping projects ($235,000)
• Bus replacement in Asheville ($5,550,000)
• Planning in Henderson County ($390,000)
• Color and canopy and tree planting ($6,068,000 + $9,865,000)
• Planting of bulbs and wildflowers ($13,542,000 + $157,000)
• Special events planting ($15,375,000)
• Replacing plants ($2,352,000)
• Roadside beautification ($81,958,000)
• Wetland restoration ($17,500,000)
• Federally-designated high speed rail corridor between Charlotte and Virginia State line, environmental study, preliminary engineering, right of way, design and construction ($2,034,373,000 for 260 miles)
• Same for Asheville and Salisbury ($194,472 for 139 miles)
• Planning, management and research studies ($11,967)
• North Carolina Air Awareness Outreach Program to provide education and produce daily air quality forecast ($3,125,000)
• Statewide survey of historical bridges ($1,000,000)
