August 26, 2025Asheville City Council
From the minutes, not yet reviewedCouncil approves up to $6 million for a state-built temporary bridge near Gashes Creek Road.
Helene badly damaged the Gashes Creek Road bridge, which is built into a dam. The City says traffic and safety worries are growing as the Nature Center and JBL soccer fields reopen. The state transportation department (NCDOT) will design and build a temporary bridge across the Swannanoa River. The cost depends on the site and bridge type, up to $6 million.
Watch the consent-agenda vote, at 9:13(time from the video's captions)- Passed with the routine items, in one vote, without discussion.
- What the City says it's for: “This project is being considered as part of emergency protective measures and will be eligible for reimbursement through the FEMA PA process.”
- The money, in the minutes' words: “Motion to authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the NCDOT for the design and construction of a temporary bridge across the Swannanoa River near the Gashes Creek Rd bridge in an amount not to exceed $6M. RESOLUTION BOOK NO. 46 - PAGE 95”
Still pending: FEMA must review and approve the cost estimates before building starts. The City says the work will be eligible for FEMA repayment.
What that means
- Consent agenda:
- Routine items Council approves together in one vote, without discussion. Any member can pull an item out for its own vote.
More from the minutes
- “Staff is currently working on a mutual aid / municipal agreement with NCDOT to perform the work with the City reimbursing NCDOT for full cost recovery.”
Official title: Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the N.C. dept. of transportation for the design and construction of a temporary bridge across the Swannanoa River near the Gashes Creek Road bridge
Carried unanimously, as part of the consent agenda
From the minutes: This motion was seconded by Vice-Mayor Mosley and carried unanimously.
Read the motion as recorded
“RESOLUTION NO. 25-192 - RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE N.C. DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A TEMPORARY BRIDGE ACROSS THE SWANNANOA RIVER NEAR THE GASHES CREEK ROAD BRIDGE”
Open the minutesConsent agenda, item BB