NORTH CAROLINA — Interstate 40 near the Tennessee line remains under reconstruction nearly a year after Hurricane Helene caused significant damage.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is working on rebuilding parts of I-40, with completion expected by the end of 2028.
“I could see where it dropped off…dropped off the side of the cliff, and I’m thinking no … they’ll never get this rebuilt,” said Brad Myers, a visitor who avoids the damaged section of the interstate.
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Currently, Interstate 40 near the Tennessee line is limited to one lane in each direction due to ongoing construction.
The NCDOT is constructing a retaining wall along the river below the highway, which will be thirty feet thick and 100 feet tall in some places.
A temporary wall is in place to keep two lanes open, and monitoring devices are installed along the interstate to alert workers to potential problems.
Debbie Barham, a local resident, expressed, “It’s just stressful. It’s a whole stressful situation. And if there’s an accident, you’re stuck there forever.”
The project includes building a bridge across the river to access the rock for the construction.
Much of the $1.3 billion price tag for the reconstruction is being funded through the federal government.
Blake Soblesky, an NCDOT engineer, explained, “To make sure we can resist any type of large…not just a Helene event but any large rain event for any reason.”
Drivers should expect delays when traveling into and out of Tennessee as reconstruction efforts continue on Interstate 40.
VIDEO: Rockslide and flooding shut down I-40 at Tennessee line
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