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Mills River seeks public input on NC 280 greenway

By Bill Moss, Published: August 2, 2017

The Town of Mills River is seeking input about a potential multi-use path that would run alongside and separated from N.C. 280.

Mills River and Transylvania County are both holding public input meetings and have posted information and surveys on their websites. The town of Mills River encourages people to come to one of the public meetings it is hosting to learn more, ask questions and share comments and/or concerns. Dates are:

  • August 9, 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Mills River Town Hall
  • August 17, 1:00-4:00 p.m. at Mills River Fire Substation 3

These are informal, drop-in meetings. Come when it is convenient and stay as long as you like.

A joint study was commissioned by the Town of Mills River and Transylvania County in 2013 to investigate the feasibility of providing active transportation facilities (walking / biking pathways) along NC 280 from Ferncliff Park Drive to Pisgah Forest. The study recommends a 15-mile paved pathway, parallel and separate from NC 280, extending from Westfeldt Park (near the Asheville Airport) to Pisgah Forest at the Davidson River entrance to the National Forest where it will connect with Brevard’s Share-Use Path. The study shows concepts for the design of the path at various locations and estimates that most of the path can be built within NC DOT right-of-way.

The local governments are trying to collect as much community input as possible through September. Later in the fall, they will consider all the input and decide whether to move forward or not with the project. If there is community support, the Town and County will take next steps, which would involve applying for funding from NC DOT to undertake engineering studies for segments of the path. These studies would consider and determine route alternatives, produce construction design documents and provide detailed cost estimates.

To learn about the study click here. For additional information visit www.millsriver.org and planning.transylvaniacounty.org.

Fill out a survey here.