After major portions of Interstate 40 fell into the Pigeon River during Tropical Storm Helene, the road reopened at the beginning of March and marked a major step towards repairing a critical corridor through the mountains of Western North Carolina! Although the highway is once again open for travel, it will be one-way traffic in each direction until further repairs are completed. Here are the top 3 things to know about the reopening of Interstate 40 at the Tennessee/North Carolina border:
1. Travel Conditions on the Reopened Portion
Interstate 40 has reopened with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour along the damaged section in the Pigeon River Gorge, with one-lane traffic resuming in each direction. The eastbound and westbound lanes are separated by a yellow median about one foot high, and the eastbound lane is separated from the gorge by roughly 12 feet of shoulder and a concrete barrier. While this is not a huge shoulder, it is large enough to allow for emergency stops. Note that commercial vehicles will be permitted to drive on the reopened section over the state line.
2. Construction Repairs on the Highway
The reopening of Interstate 40 has required the installation of "soil nails" that pin the westbound lanes to the side of the gorge, as over 2,088 feet of soil nails along 10 sites had been washed out along the road. The North Carolina Department of Transportation has also installed 15,200 pounds of steel to reinforce the I-40 shoulder, which will better support the interstate's heavy truck traffic. A long-term construction project is in place to fully restore the highway, which is expected to cost at least $1 billion. The total cost of road repairs after Helene is estimated at $5 billion.
3. Alternative Routes to Avoid Delays
Interstate 40 is a major thoroughfare through the Southern Appalachian Mountains, and the stretch of highway that was damaged by Hurricane Helene supports about 7,610 trucks daily and a total average daily traffic of over 26,000 vehicles. Therefore, it is easy to see how there may be significant delays during peak times with one lane closed in each direction. If you feel uncomfortable about driving the narrowed section of highway through the mountains, there are alternative routes to pass between Tennessee and North Carolina. One option is Interstate 26, which passes through Erwin to cross the state line. You can also take advantage of Interstate 81 and Interstate 77. From Knoxville, travelers can head north on I-81, which connects with I-77 toward Charlotte. Although this is more miles, you can eventually get to Asheville and other areas of North Carolina from there.
While there is a long-term construction plan for Interstate 40, things are moving in the right direction, and drivers can once again travel along this popular route into the Smokies! If you want to avoid traffic during the busiest times of year, check out these ways to avoid the peak crowds at Great Smoky Mountains National Park!
