Road Changes in Haywood County

It seems that every time I turn around roads are changing.  Work is being done on the bridge through “Frog Level” in Waynesville.  Hurricane Helene damaged the bridge, but repairs have finally begun.  I didn’t realize how much traffic not having this bridge would add to the traffic on Russ Avenue in Waynesville.

Also, Russ Avenue has its own traffic issues.  The bridge over Richland Creek and the bridge over the railroad tracks on Russ Avenue are both being replaced.  They are replacing half of each bridge currently.  After the new half is completed, traffic will be re-routed, and the other half of both bridges will be replaced.  To make traffic even worse, it was decided that all the water and sewer lines along Russ Avenue needed replacement also.  All the one lane traffic has really slowed the flow 0n Russ Avenue.

Now the DOT is reworking Jonathan Creek Road (Hwy 276 North).  Turn lanes are being added, and all shoulders are being paved.  Also, the median crossovers are being redone.  The end goal is to make the highway safer.  At the intersection of Hwy 276 and Hwy 19, all four-lane roads, the stop lights are being replaced with a two-lane round-about.   There has been some local push-back on the round-about, but according to the DOT, round-abouts are safer and also save gasoline, as there is no stopping and waiting.

Finally, the state is working feverishly to get Interstate 40 through the gorge open again, if only one lane in each direction.  Hopefully this will happen sometime during this March.  Currently the only way into Tennessee is 441 through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or I-26 from Asheville north to I-81, then I-81 back to I-40 in Tennessee.

If you are planning a trip through our area and have questions about routes, let us know.  We’re happy to help.