What better way to kick off the new decade than with a new construction project? We covered the RADTIP project back in 2019, and with the new Haywood Streetscape Project — which begins today — one of downtown Asheville’s busiest + most iconic streets will get some much needed improvements to its infrastructure. The expected finish date is early autumn of this year, with a goal of completing the work before the busy fall season.

Here’s what to expect from the completed project, which will affect the area of Haywood between Vanderbilt + College Sts. primarily, with some additional work on Rankin Ave., Walnut St. + College St.

Sidewalk rehabilitation

Street resurfacing

Stormwater improvement

Sanitary sewer improvements

Sourcing, siting, and installation of various street amenities – like tree pits + curb extensions

Replacement of the blue stone in the sidewalk on Haywood St. – prioritized as a safety issue and a major need by the city and various boards, committees, and associations over the past several years. This part of the project will be funded by the Transportation Bond Referendum that passed in 2016 .

Over the course of construction, lane + sidewalk closures will be in effect, but will be staggered to reduce impact on pedestrians, drivers + commuters. And, access to both the Rankin and Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville parking decks will stay open.

The city will share bi-weekly email updates on what’s happening when + where. Sign up for them here. Want to talk to someone in person? Monthly drop-by opportunities will also be scheduled at the Asheville Downtown Association office (29 Haywood St.) and are open to the public. They’ll be held on the third Thursday of each month between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. The next session is scheduled for Jan. 16.

Depend on ART to get around? Rider alerts will be issued to affected routes (which include the WE1, WE2 + 170.)

Read on to see what you can expect from the project, as well as a timeline for construction and how it may impact you along Haywood St. in the streetscaping area. And be sure to download the Asheville App to stay up to date on parking around downtown.⬇️

The city-owned property at 68 Haywood St. — a.k.a., “the Pit of Despair” — is being used as a temporary on-site superintendent office, as well as for construction-related storage and staging. An on-site superintendent will also be stationed there. Construction hours will be 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon-Fri. – but weather delays will cause occasional Saturday and evening work.

Streetscape Phases

Phase 1: Sewer and water upgrades on College and Walnut

Starts on College today with work on Walnut beginning the week of Jan. 13.

Expected to last seven weeks .

Expect lane closures on both College + Walnut St.

Access to both Rankin and Civic Center parking decks will be maintained.

The city will work to continue uninterrupted transit service with lane closures.

Expect some water disruption.

Phase 2: Sewer and water upgrades, streetscape, and utility work on Haywood

Begins late Feb . and is expected to take seven weeks .

Traffic on Haywood St . will be reduced to one lane and limited to one-way going south for the duration of the project.

On-street parking will not be accessible .

Water + sewer upgrades, installation of curbing , installation of stormwater infrastructure , and utility work on Haywood St. between College and Walnut St . will also happen during this phase.





Phase 3: Sewer and water upgrades and connections, utility, and streetscape work on Haywood Street and potentially Rankin Avenue

Begins mid-April and slated to last seven weeks .

Water and sewer upgrades, installation of curbing, installation of stormwater infrastructure, and utility work on Haywood St. between Walnut St. + Vanderbilt Pl .

May include additional work on Rankin – depends on how Phase 2 goes .

Sidewalk construction along Haywood will begin with work happening on one side at a time .

Installation/replacement of major streetscape amenities like tree pits, bulb-outs + more on Haywood between College and Walnut St.





Phase 4: Sewer and water upgrades and connections, utility and streetscape work on Haywood Street and potentially Rankin Avenue

Begins early June and should last eight weeks .

Very similar to Phase 3.

Sewer and water upgrades on Haywood St. between Vanderbilt Pl. toward O’Henry.

Expect lane closures .





Phase 5: Sewer and water upgrades and connections, utility, and streetscape work on Haywood Street and potentially Rankin Avenue

Final installation of amenities like trash cans, tree guards, benches, landscaping + more on Haywood St. between College St. and Vanderbilt Pl .

Expected to take five weeks.





Phase 6: Asphalt paving on roadways and final clean-up

Paving + striping of all impacted roadways, as well as any final clean-up.

Some of this work is likely to take place during evening hours .

Expected to take five weeks .



