The NC DOT is coming out of the bushes to propose widening I-26 because:

  1. They mistakenly assume Ashevillians have come to their senses and will accept a widening to accommodate more automobile traffic.
  2. They wish to slush-fund pet projects, and they know Ashevillians will tie the debate up for years. In the worst possible scenario, they will only have to paint bike lanes on the interstate and add fruit trees to the medians.
  3. They don’t yet know about the affordable housing requirement.