ASHEVILLE – Various sections of Interstate 26 will close each night this week to provide contractors additional safety for operations along the I-26 widening project.
Transportation officials will activate the incident corridor management system each night that will provide longer green lights along the detour route. Each closure is scheduled to begin no earlier than 8 p.m. and end by 6 a.m.
The current schedule is as follows:
Monday —
Location: I-26 East from U.S. 25 Business (Exit 44) to U.S. 64 (Exit 49)
Detour: U.S. 25 Business (Asheville Highway) to U.S. 176 to Upward Road
Operations: Preparing for traffic shift
Tuesday —
Location: I-26 West from U.S. 64 (Exit 49) to U.S. 25 Business (Exit 44)
Detour: U.S. 64 to U.S. 25 Business to I-26
Operations: Asphalt surface repairs
Wednesday —
Location: I-26 West from Airport Road (Exit 40) to Brevard Road (Exit 33)
Detour: Airport Road to U.S. 25 (Hendersonville Road) to I-40
Operations: Asphalt surface repairs
Thursday —
Location: I-26 East from Long Shoals Road (Exit 37) to U.S. 64 (Exit 49)
Detour: Long Shoals Road to U.S. 25 (Asheville Highway) to U.S. 176 to Upward Road
Operation: Traffic shift from Clear Creek Road to U.S. 64 and asphalt repairs
Friday —
Make-up day, if necessary
On Friday morning, drivers heading east in Henderson County will drive on a section of the new interstate following the overnight traffic shift. Traffic will be moved to the median from the existing pattern, and a new temporary exit ramp for Exit 49A (U.S. 64 West) into downtown Hendersonville will be open.
These operations are part of the I-26 widening project, which will reduce congestion and improve travel times upon completion in the spring of 2025.
Transportation officials remind drivers to remain alert, travel with care and obey all posted signs in and approaching the work zone.