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County greenway team to split Highway 251 Riverside alignment; Beaver Dam Creek greenway faces additional engineering work
Summary
Buncombe County asked to split the Highway 251 Riverside greenway at the Riverside mill because of streambank loss and landowner concerns; town staff said easement acquisition could start in September 2026 and construction in November 2027 for the approved segment.
Town staff updated council members Wednesday on two greenway projects affecting Woodfin: the Highway 251 Riverside alignment and the Beaver Dam Creek greenway.
Staff said Buncombe County project managers proposed amending the Highway 251 alignment to terminate the northern terminus at the Riverside mill after streambank loss and landowner concerns complicated the originally planned connection through a parking area. The proposed amendment would make the segment from Broadway to the mill a distinct project and defer the mill‑to‑MSC section for later work. That amendment must be reviewed by the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) and, if approved, by the N.C. Department of Transportation Board of Transportation.
Town staff said the current schedule anticipates beginning easement acquisition in September 2026 and starting construction in November 2027 for the approved segment. The Beaver Dam Creek greenway was described as requiring additional engineering and design work because of Helene storm impacts; that project team has requested a change order with NCDOT and anticipates a tentative bid for construction in 2027 with construction lasting about 16 to 18 months.
Council members and staff said the county team is continuing design and survey work for sections that can move forward while the more complex areas are separated and studied. No formal council action was taken; staff said they will provide monthly updates.
