ASHEVILLE – Thousands of drivers heading into Asheville will be cruising on a brand new section of interstate starting Thursday morning.
A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation will shift traffic on westbound Interstate 26 to newly constructed outside lanes prior to Brevard Road (Exit 33) on Wednesday night, weather permitting.
The shift will allow crews from Blythe Development to completely rehabilitate the current existing lanes. This phase of the $47.4 million project to improve the I-26/Brevard Road interchange will involve removing the existing asphalt, building new concrete lanes, constructing a median wall and improving the drainage.
Completion of the project will result in new bridges on Brevard Road over the interstate and four lanes in each direction on I-26. It will align with the current I-26 widening project from Henderson County to this project.
Transportation officials remind drivers to drive alert, obey all posted signs and slow down in work zones.