Repairing Interstate 40 in western North Carolina will take longer and cost almost $1 billion more.
[ ALSO READ: I-40 reconstruction efforts continue one year after Hurricane Helene ]
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.