Academy Street Bypass Debuts

With the addition of a second right-turn lane from East North Street to North Academy, a faster route around downtown is now available for motorists.

City engineers added the second turning lane on Tuesday. Along with the removal of a traffic signal at Elford and Academy streets and the retiming of the remaining traffic signals along Academy, motorists will find an efficient, safer route through downtown. The change supports efforts to increase walkability in the city center, with projects like the Cultural Corridor – a plan to create a pedestrian-friendly walking route from Main Street to Heritage Green, eventually including a lane reduction along West North and Buncombe streets by the end of 2024.

So, if your travel plans do not include a downtown stop, Academy Street is the go-to, to go around downtown!