I-40 in North Carolina Reopens After Hurricane Helene, With Restrictions

Source: U.S. Department of Transportation

Good news for drivers and truckers: a 12-mile stretch of Interstate 40, damaged by Hurricane Helene in October, is reopening this weekend.

The reopened section runs between Cold Springs Creek Road (Exit 7) in North Carolina and Big Creek Road (Exit 447) in Tennessee. However, traffic will be limited to one lane in each directionbetween Exits 15 and 20 in North Carolina.

While Tennessee had already reopened its portion of I-40 shortly after the storm, North Carolina is imposing several restrictions:

•Speed limit set at 35 mph

•Narrower lanes and reduced shoulders

•9×9-inch concrete curb separating the two lames

•No wide loads permitted

A reconstruction contract has been awarded to Ames Construction to speed up the highway’s full restoration, a process expected to take years.