HF-0003: Brown Mountain Beach Road - Caldwell County
HF-0003: Brown Mountain Beach Road - Caldwell County
NCDOT proposes to widen five sections of Brown Mountain Beach Road in Caldwell County.
Interactive Study Area Map:
Project Overview
The N.C. Department of Transportation proposes to widen Brown Mountain Beach Road (S.R. 1328) to 20 feet in five locations. The proposed widening sections are located along a 2.2-mile section of Brown Mountain Beach Road between the intersections of Adako Road and Craig Creek Road (approximately Milepost 5.3 to Milepost 7.5) in Caldwell County. The entire project area is located within the Grandfather District of the Pisgah National Forest.
The purpose of the project is to improve the roadway in select locations to address existing operational issues along the corridor. Brown Mountain Beach Road is an unpaved route that serves as the primary vehicular access to the Wilson Creek Gorge, a National Wild and Scenic River and popular recreational destination within the Pisgah National Forest. The roadway also provides access to rural communities and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Under current conditions, sections of the roadway are too narrow to allow for two vehicles to safely pass. The combination of these narrow lane configurations, heavy summer and weekend traffic volumes, and illegally parked vehicles poses significant safety concerns for emergency responders who cannot respond to calls in a timely manner. These sections also make travel through the gorge difficult for residents who live in the Edgemont and Mortimer communities. The proposed improvements would widen the roadway to 20 feet (two 10-foot travel lanes) to allow two vehicles to pass in opposing directions.
Project History
The U.S. Forest Service, North Carolina Department of Transportation, Caldwell County, and local law enforcement agencies have been collaborating for a number of years regarding access within the Wilson Creek corridor along Brown Mountain Beach Road. Areas of focus have been improving traffic flow, parking, native and wild trout conservation, and watershed improvements. In 2022, a grant application was prepared by the North Carolina Department of Transportation and U.S. Forest Service to seek federal funding for the widening of Brown Mountain Beach Road within the Grandfather District of the Pisgah National Forest. Funding for these improvements was granted later that year under the North Carolina Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP).
Project Maps
There are five study areas, from north (closest to Craig Creek Road) to south (closest to Adako Road): 1, 3, 4, 5A, and 6.
Click on each map to open that map in a new window.
Study Area 1
Study Area 3
Study Area 4
Study Area 5A
Study Area 6
Project Funding:
Activity | Estimated Costs* |
Project Development & Design | $ 175,000 |
| Right of Way Acquisition | N/A |
Construction Costs | $ 1.575 Million |
Total Cost | $ 1.75 Million |
*Estimated costs are subject to change. Based on currently adopted NCDOT State Transportation Improvement Program.
Project Timeline:
Activity | Anticipated Date* |
Develop Functional Roadway Designs | Summer 2023 |
Environmental Document Approved | February 2024 |
Right of Way Acquisition Begins | Fall 2024 |
Construction Begins | February 2025 |
*Future dates subject to change
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 February 23, 2024.
The public is encouraged to leave comments using this webpage, email, or phone number:
Email: Brown-Mountain-Beach-Road@publicinput.com
Phone Number: 984-205-6615 enter project code 6698
PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION
Heath Slaughter
NCDOT Project Manager
NCDOT Highway Division 11
801 Statesville Road
North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION
Nick Mountcastle
Consultant Project Manager
NV5
P.O. Box 33127
Raleigh, NC 27636
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
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