Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
January 11, 2007 issue
Cove Creek Residents Object to Bridge Replacement Plan
Comments Due by Friday, January 12
Story by Kathleen McFadden
A group of residents in the Amantha Community on Cove Creek is mystified and dismayed by the NCDOT’s approach to a bridge replacement project and are hoping that High Country residents—even those who do not live in the area—will rally to their cause and submit comments in opposition to the plan.
The Amantha Bridge on Old Highway 421 just past the Henson Chapel needs repairs and replacement, local resident Marianna Isaacs agreed, “But we want it done with the least amount of impact.”
The DOT has developed four alternatives for the bridge replacement, and the folks in Cove Creek are strongly opposed to three of them, largely because of the effect on an area rich in history and family connections. Three of proposals would replace not one, but two bridges, and take a significant amount of private property as well.
Isaacs lives in a home that has been in her family for more than 100 years. Shirley Mast’s home is the building that was the original Henson Chapel, a building that dates from 1868. When the “new” church was constructed, the original structure was moved over the creek—probably on logs—and settled at the current site on Fletcher Branch Road.
In addition to replacing the Amantha Bridge, three of the DOT’s four alternatives for the project would convert Fletcher Branch Road from a quiet dead-end street to a secondary road and replace the bridge on Henson’s Branch Road right in front of Mast’s property. Two of the proposed scenarios call for demolition of Mast’s historic home. A third proposal would take her entire front yard. The DOT right of way would reach to her front steps.
Right-of-way acquisition for both bridge replacements is scheduled to begin in January 2008.
The locals don’t understand why DOT wants to replace the bridge in front of Mast’s home. According to the DOT’s own bridge inspection reports, Isaacs said, the bridge on Henson’s Branch Road is in good shape, with an estimated 25-year remaining life. The Amantha Bridge down the way, however, isn’t in such good shape, with only a 5-year estimated life remaining.
“How often does the state condemn and take down houses for a secondary road project?” Isaacs said. “We need [Highway] 421 from Boone to Vilas four-laned so badly and they’re willing to spend millions on a secondary road project,” she added.
The DOT’s fourth proposed scenario for the project leaves Fletcher Branch Road and the bridge in front of Mast’s home alone and focuses only on the Amantha Bridge and eliminating some of the curves in Old Highway 421 leading to the bridge. That’s the option the local residents favor.
“We’ve worked hard to maintain our character,” Isaacs said. “We’re a tight-knit bunch and we want to maintain our quiet character. Just replace the Amantha Bridge. That would have the least impact on our community.”
“We’re trying to be good stewards and new doesn’t necessarily mean better,” Isaacs said.
Comments on the proposals are due by Friday, January 12. Contact Pamela Williams by phone at 919-715-5507, by email at prwilliams@dot.state.nc.us or by fax at 919-715-1501. Citizens can also write, referencing Transportation Improvement Program project number B-3377, to Pamela Williams, NCDOT Project Development and Environmental Analysis Branch/Bridge Unit, 1551 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1551.