The $103 million contract was awarded to Buchanan & Sons Inc. of Whittier, a local WNC firm. The contract covers the major grading, drainage, paving, and structures needed to transform the congested and accident-prone highway into a modern "Superstreet" configuration.
Updated Timeline: Construction Slated for April 2026
The project's original start date was pushed back multiple times, but the official contract award locks in a firm timeline for the start of major work:
Current Phase (Ongoing): Utility Relocation. Crews are currently working to move overhead utility lines and underground infrastructure (water, sewer, etc.) out of the future construction path.
Major Construction Start: April 2026. The first significant construction effort will involve building the 1,674-foot-long Mill Creek culvert.
Estimated Completion: The complex 2.6-mile project is anticipated to be complete around 2029.
NCDOT Division 14 Engineer Wesley Grindstaff commented on the achievement, stating, "It’s a milestone worth celebrating, but just for a minute, because it is also a new starting point for the construction phase of this transformation."
Project Scope: From Five Lanes to a Superstreet
The 2.62-mile project aims to address the dangerously high crash rate on the main commercial artery connecting Sylva and Western Carolina University. The work spans from south of N.C. 116 (Webster Road) to U.S. 23 Business (Asheville Highway).
The transformation includes:
"Superstreet" Design: The existing center-turn lane will be replaced with a median-divided roadway, a design that prevents direct left turns from side streets. Drivers will instead turn right and use one of the 18 designated U-turn locations, which significantly reduces the high number of "T-bone" collisions common on the current highway.
Multimodal Access: The final design will incorporate 5-foot dedicated bicycle lanes and 5-foot sidewalks on both sides of the road, vastly improving safety and connectivity for cyclists and pedestrians.
New Infrastructure: The project includes replacing two structurally deficient bridges over Scotts Creek and installing new water, sewer, and stormwater drainage infrastructure, essential for the area's long-term growth.
Funding and Administration Context
The Highway 107 project (R-5600) is a major state investment, with the total project cost—including right-of-way acquisition ($50M+) and construction—estimated to be well over $150 million.
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