ASHEVILLE – Two different sections of Interstate 26 will close on consecutive nights with traffic diverting to roads with longer green lights starting tonight.
The closures allow a contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation to safely improve asphalt conditions and conduct other operations in the construction zones.
I-26 West will close tonight from Airport Road (Exit 40) to the I-40/I-240 interchange in Buncombe County. Traffic will be directed to Airport Road (N.C. 280 East) then Hendersonville Road (U.S. 25 North) to access I-40 then I-26.
I-26 West will close from U.S. 64 (Exit 49) to U.S. 25 Business (Exit 44) in Henderson County on Tuesday night. Traffic will be diverted to U.S. 64 West to Asheville Highway (U.S. 25 North) and back to I-26.
The Integrated Corridor Management System will hold green lights longer to accommodate the additional traffic on the detour routes.
All operations will start no earlier than 8 p.m. and the interstate will reopen by 6 a.m. each morning. Start times may be delayed due to high traffic volume. These operations are weather dependent.
Transportation officials remind drivers to slow down, obey all posted signs and remain alert while driving in work zones.