ASHEVILLE – Sections of Interstate 26 in southern Buncombe County will be closed each of the next four nights with traffic detouring to roads with longer green lights.
Contractors for the N.C. Department of Transportation will close I-26 East from Long Shoals Road (Exit 37) to Airport Road (Exit 40) tonight. Then crews will close the I-26 West stretch from Airport Road (Exit 40) to Long Shoals Road (Exit 37) Tuesday through Thursday nights.
Crews will utilize the closures to repair sections of asphalt, move safety barrier walls and safely conduct additional construction activities.
Starting around 8 p.m. each night, drivers will be directed to the detours. Tonight, the detour directs drivers east on Long Shoals Road then south on Hendersonville Road (U.S. 25 Business) and back to I-26 at exit 44.
On Tuesday through Thursday nights starting around 8 p.m., traffic will be diverted east on Airport Road (N.C. 280) then north on Hendersonville Road to Long Shoals Road where drivers can rejoin I-26 West.
Traffic signals will remain green longer on these routes to allow for movement of additional traffic. The interstate should reopen by 6 a.m. each of the following mornings.
Transportation officials advise drivers to plan ahead for the detour, remain alert at all times and obey all posted traffic signs.