Construction has officially begun on the first segment of the Swannanoa River Greenway, a highly anticipated bond-funded project that will provide a scenic and accessible multi-use path along an important transportation corridor in East Asheville.

This segment of the Swannanoa River Greenway will be a paved pathway that spans about one mile, connecting to an existing paved path at Riverbend Park and continuing west along the southern banks of the Swannanoa River underneath I-240 and Tunnel Road before ending at the intersection of Glendale Avenue and Thompson Street.

“The Swannanoa River Greenway is a significant investment in the future of our community,” says Lucy Crown, Transportation Planning Manager. “It is the first phase of a greenway network that heads to the city’s east side. It is also in a burgeoning area with breweries and eating locations. People love to have a destination to go to on a greenway. We are excited to see this project come to fruition.”

Construction on the first segment of the Swannanoa River Greenway is expected to be completed in late 2025, totalling about one year of construction.

The Swannanoa River Greenway project is a 2016 voter-approved Transportation Bond project and was identified as the City’s number one priority greenway in the GAP Plan. The project is also part of the future 100-mile Fonta Flora State Trail, connecting Morganton to Asheville. Future segments of the Swannanoa River Greenway will continue along the river in both directions, terminating in the east at Azalea Road and Tunnel Road, and connecting in the west to the River Arts District and West Asheville greenway network. Once completed, the Swannanoa River Greenway will total 7.5 miles in length.