Interactive Project Study Area Map

 

Project Overview

In response to Hurricane Helene, the N.C. Department of Transportation Highway Division 14 is constructing permanent repairs to U.S. 74A in Gerton from Bearwallow Mountain Road to the U.S. 64/U.S. 74A/N.C. 9 intersection in Bat Cave, Henderson County.

The U.S. 74A - Gerton project will permanently repair damage to U.S. 74A (Gerton Highway), from west of Bearwallow Mountain Road in Gerton to east of the N.C. 9 intersection in Bat Cave, approximately 5 miles.

U.S. 74A will be reconstructed on much of its previous alignment. However, in some areas there will be shifts in alignment due to damage from Hurricane Helene. The permanent alignment is still conceptual and technical investigations are underway to determine the most appropriate location.

 

Project Maps

Clicking on the maps will enlarge them for easier viewing.

 

Concept Map - 1 of 4

 

Concept Map - 2 of 4

 

Concept Map - 3 of 4

 

Concept Map - 4 of 4

 

 

Question title

Do you have questions or comments regarding the preferred concept design?

Proposed Typical Sections

Clicking on the pictures will enlarge them for easier viewing.

 

U.S. 74A (Gerton Highway) Resurfacing

                                             

             

U.S. 74A (Gerton Highway) Reconstruction                  

Reconstruction Sites

Three different sections, approximately 2.5 miles, of the U.S. 74A – Gerton project will be completely reconstructed due to hurricane damage. The remaining sections will be repaired and resurfaced. Ten culvert replacements and five retaining walls are proposed. Sections of U.S. 74A slated for total reconstruction are described as:

Reconstruction Site 1: From east of Fern Cove Lane to east of Pump Lane – Reconstruct roadway and proposed replacement of culvert east of Pump Lane. 

Reconstruction Site 2: From east of Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Trailhead to west of Grant Mountain Road – Reconstruct roadway and proposed replacement of culvert west of Grant Mountain Road. One retaining wall is proposed within this section.  

Reconstruction Site 3: From east of Grant Mountain Road to west of Freeman Hills Drive – Reconstruct roadway and proposed replacement of three culverts near Hummingbird Hill Road, Cave Inn Drive, and Possum Hollow Road. Four retaining walls are proposed within this section.  

All repairs and reconstruction will be completed with road closures and offsite detours avoided to the extent possible. Due to the complexity of reconstructing the roadway, road closures may occur for an extended period of time. More information on detours is included later in this handout, with an opportunity to comment and provide feedback on potential road closures and detours.

 

Reconstruction Sites Map

 

 

Potential Detours Map

 

Question title

Do you have questions or comments regarding the potential proposed detours or road closures?

Question title

Is there a particular season or timeframe that should be avoided for road closures?

Project Timeline:

Milestone

    Date*

Begin construction (restoration and reconstruction)

April 2025

End construction

Spring 2027

                                                                                                                                      * Future dates subject to change. 

Question title

Would you like to be added to the project email list for updates?

PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION 

Josh Deyton

NCDOT Project Manager

NCDOT Division 14 Construction Engineer

253 Webster Road

Sylva, NC  28779

Brian Burch

Consultant Project Manager

HNTB

4000 Center at North Hills Street, Suite 500

Raleigh, NC  27609

Project Comments

 

NCDOT accepts comments throughout all phases of project development.  

All comments will be taken into consideration, and carry equal weight, regardless of submittal method.

To submit comments for consideration during the current phase of project development,

please submit before March 11, 2025

The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, email, or phone number:

 

Email: US74AGerton@publicinput.com

Phone Number:  984-205-6615    enter project code 11099 to leave a message.

Title VI Feedback

To ensure we’re hearing from a broad set of voices, would you be willing to share (completely anonymously) some information about yourself?

If so, please click here https://publicinput.com/NCDOT-Title-VI-Form

 

RESOURCES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS 


Although the N.C. Department of Transportation works to minimize the number of homes and businesses displaced by a road project, it is inevitable, in many cases, that a certain amount of private property is needed. The following information explains right of way acquisition and answers questions about the process.  

     
Right-of-Way Brochure Single Page Layout      Folleto del Proceso de Adquisición de Bienes Raíces
Right-of-Way Frequently Asked Questions

Right of way Acquisition Process Videos

English                                                                     Spanish