Full announcement from the city of Asheville:

ASHEVILLE – An upcoming project to replace a deteriorating retaining wall near the intersection of Cherokee Road and Sunset Drive will result in diverted traffic during the several months the project will take to complete.

Work on the retaining wall is anticipated to begin in mid-February and last through July. Analyses of the wall performed in 2009 and 2012 resulted in recommendations that the structure be replaced. Work associated with the project will include utility relocations, storm drainage improvements, paving, and other associated items. Because of the historical nature of the surrounding Albemarle neighborhood, the project will involve not only replacing the wall, but also restoring it to its original look. This will be accomplished by using existing stones in the wall’s façade, a step approved by the city’s Historic Resources Commission. Asheville City Council approved the project in January.

Due to the nature of the project, the intersection at Cherokee Road and Sunset Drive will be closed for the duration of the replacement. Because the intersection is an access to Charlotte Street for neighborhood traffic, the City of Asheville will place road closed signs at the last turnout on each road in order to give drivers notice to detour. Affected roads will include Sunset Dr., Ridgewood Pl., Woodland Rd., Skyview Pl., Canterbury Rd., Fairmont Rd. and other streets feeding into Sunset Dr. and Cherokee Rd.

Residents in the area will receive project status updates through the city’s Citizen Alert System. Residents can register phone numbers and email addresses with the alert system by logging onto http://www.ashevillenc.gov and clicking the link for Citizens Alert Sign Up, or by calling the city’s customer service information line at (828) 251-1122 or United Way’s 2-1-1 information line. Project information will also be posted at http://www.ashevillenc.gov on the City Projects link.