Repairing Interstate 40 in western North Carolina will take longer and cost almost $1 billion more.
Hurricane Helene wiped out part of the interstate through the Pigeon River Gorge.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation says the repairs will cost about $2.8 billion.
Four lanes of traffic likely will not reopen until late 2029.
Crews say the main reason is the deep bedrock in some areas.
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