SYLVA — The N.C. Department of Transportation is requesting a
non-declared emergency provision to hire contractors immediately to assist with
storm damage recovery in Polk County.
“We are doing everything possible to clean up the damage and get
the highway open as soon as possible for the residents of Polk County,” Division
14 Engineer Brian Burch said. “The storms were devastating to the area, and a
disruption to the daily lives of citizens.
“We know everything won’t be exactly as before, but we’d like for
things to return to as normal as possible as soon as possible.”
Severe rain and thunderstorms on Friday night closed Interstate 26
for about 6 hours, U.S. 176 and multiple secondary roads in the county for
longer periods of time.
The provision would expedite the process of local NCDOT officials
hiring a contractor cleanup, debris removal, culvert replacements, shoulder
repair, guardrail restoration and other restorations. Early estimates for the
contract range from $1.5-2 million.
A mudslide along with ensuing cleanup and repairs will require
several weeks for NCDOT and contractor crews to complete. Additional NCDOT crews
from Henderson, Haywood and Transylvania counties assisted with cut-and-shove
operations over the weekend.
U.S. 176, east of Saluda and near Thompson Road, is closed to
through traffic and observers. Only local and emergency traffic is allowed
through the closure.
The detour for westbound traffic involves taking N.C. 108 from the
Tryon Area to I-26 West to Exit 59 and Ozone Drive back to U.S. 176. The
opposite applies for eastbound traffic.
Transportation officials remind motorists to slow down in work
zones, obey all posted signs and follow marked detours.