Chimney Rock Officials Provide Major Infrastructure, Recovery Updates

Chimney Rock Village leaders used their January 20 town council meeting to outline progress on highway reconstruction, disaster recovery funding, and long-term redevelopment efforts following Hurricane Helene storm damage. WCAB News was the only outlet present at the meeting.

Officials said work on U.S. 64 through Chimney Rock remains underway in coordination with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. The first phase — filling approximately 1,500 feet of roadway — is currently under federal review, a required step because FHWA is providing funding. Completion of major portions of the project is projected to be completed in 2029.

Council members confirmed that work on the U.S. 64 bridge toward Edneyville has already begun, while the Chimney Rock Park bridge project has been delayed due to required historic property studies. Officials also noted that the highway stoplight has been relocated as part of the ongoing construction.

Plans under discussion include widening road shoulders and creating space for a future riverwalk along sections where the roadway closely parallels the river.

Village officials also addressed disaster recovery efforts, including pending FEMA property buyouts and slope-stabilization projects under the Emergency Watershed Protection Program. One package of 36 properties has been submitted to FEMA, while additional applications remain under review by North Carolina Emergency Management.

Council members said Chimney Rock’s sponsorship of the watershed protection program helped Rutherford County remain eligible for higher levels of stream-rehabilitation funding.

During the meeting, the council approved multiple contracts tied to recovery and redevelopment, including the use of a $477,550 Dogwood Health Trust grant now deposited in the village’s account. The funds will support planning, engineering, and economic impact studies connected to streetscape improvements and downtown redevelopment.

Officials estimated the village is managing or pursuing nearly $20 million in combined grant funding and recovery assistance, separate from state-funded highway and utility restoration projects.

Village leaders said coordination with state and federal agencies will continue as reconstruction and redevelopment efforts move forward over the next several years.