Public Meeting April 18

The Swannanoa community is invited to an OPEN HOUSE on Thursday, April 18, at 7 p.m., to discuss the impacts of a major waterline replacement project set to begin in the Grovemont area in May. The Open House will take place at the Bee Tree Fire Station, 510 Bee Tree Road.

According to an April 10 article in the Black Mountain News, the current 4-inch waterlines, which were installed in the 1920s, do not have sufficient flow and capacity to adequately handle firefighting needs in the community. Replacing the existing pipes with 6 or 8-inch lines will greatly improve water service and fire safety in Grovemont. To read the Black Mountain News article, please click here.

The City of Asheville is awarding a $2.5 million contract to Cooper Construction for the waterline project. The first week in May, three crews will start waterline constuction at the intersections of Old 70 and Scenic View Drive, Old 70 and Wilson Avenue, and Old 70 and Marion Avenue. Crews will work north 2000 feet at a time.

At the April 18 Open House, the proposed street schedule for the rest of the waterline construction will be presented, and community members will have the opportunity to comment, ask questions and provide input.

Residents should expect closure of one lane of traffic in the locations where the waterline installation is occurring. Qualified traffic control flaggers will be present to direct traffic safely through the construction zone. In certain sections, and when crossing intersections, temporary closure of both lanes will be necessary. Since many of the Grovemont streets are interconnected, detours will be possible for most areas.

The Project Manager is working directly with the local schools and school bus drivers to minimize the impact on bus routes and establish direct communication links with parents through “School Messenger,” Buncombe County Schools’ communication program for parents.

For more information about the waterline project, please visit www.swannanoawaterlinereplacement.com.