When will the rest of Interstate 40 in western North Carolina reopen?

Interstate 40, a major artery connecting western North Carolina with eastern Tennessee, is still under construction after Hurricane Helene devastated the region with historic rainfall and flooding in late September.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation reported nearly 7,000 locations where roads and bridges were damaged and nearly 600 road closures. The department noted that as assessments continue, the number of road closures may increase.

An aerial photo of the mudslide scene after crews began clearing mud and debris from the interstate.

(DOT NC)

“The damage estimates we have so far run into several billion dollars, and we’re not done yet,” said state Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins. “The damage to our roads and bridges is unlike anything we have ever seen after any storm and this operation will be long-term. But we will remain here until western North Carolina gets back on its feet.”

In the meantime, some progress has been made, including reopening 600 roads in western North Carolina. One of these roads includes part of Interstate 40, which runs between Old Fort and downtown Asheville.

Interstate 40 collapse in North Carolina.

(NCDOT)

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Repairs to I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge are visible on the horizon. NCDOT said it awarded Wright Brothers Construction a $10 million contract to stabilize the westbound lanes of the interstate in the area. The department noted that the contract included incentives that were to be completed by January 4.