ASHEVILLE — N.C. Department of Transportation officials opened a new ramp from Brevard Road onto Interstate 26 East this afternoon.
A contractor for NCDOT recently completed construction of the concrete ramp, which includes new guardrail, temporary markings and additional safety features. The new ramp is about 2,200 feet long — approximately twice as long as ramp before construction began — which will provide more time and distance for trucks to get up to interstate speed and will allow more vehicles to prepare to join interstate traffic.
The opening of this ramp completes another important portion of the $47.4 million project to improve the I-26/Brevard Road interchange. A new ramp from Brevard Road to I-26 West opened in January.
The contractor, Blythe Development, is more than 70 percent complete with the overall project that will increase safety and mobility on Brevard Road (N.C. 191), as well as the interstate.