Interstate 40 in western North Carolina is set to partially reopen this Saturday after being closed since late September 2024 due to damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
The reopening will include one lane in each direction between Cold Springs Creek Road in North Carolina and Big Creek Road in Tennessee, with some expected delays due to ongoing conditions.
The storm caused severe flooding, washing away millions of cubic yards of materials and making parts of the road impassable.
Since then, the North Carolina Department of Transportation NCDOT, along with Wright Brothers and GeoStabilization International, have been working on stabilization efforts, including installing nearly 90,000 square feet of soil-nail walls and reinforcing the road with steel rods and grout.
While this partial reopening is a step toward restoring a vital transportation link between North Carolina and Tennessee, officials are advising travelers to expect delays, particularly during weekends and holidays.