HENDERSONVILLE – The first drivers to traverse brand new concrete on a section of Interstate 26 in Henderson County will glide along the new concrete and asphalt Thursday morning, unless rainy weather delays planned overnight operations.
A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation will close I-26 East from U.S. 25 Business (Exit 44) to Upward Road (Exit 53) no earlier than 8 p.m. tonight in order to safely complete a traffic shift by 6 a.m. Pending weather, a marked detour down U.S. 25 (Asheville Highway) to U.S. 176 then Upward Road will have longer green lights to accommodate overnight traffic.
Eastbound traffic will traverse new, permanent, concrete surface between Naples Road and Clear Creek Road after crews complete the transitions with asphalt, paint new lines at the shift points, and move nearly 10,000 feet of safety barrier tonight. Friday night will serve as the makeup date if rain delays the operation.
In about 4-6 weeks, crews will shift westbound traffic onto new concrete in this stretch, which will open the entire old westbound side for Archer-Wright crews to build a long stretch of new interstate.
These operations are part of the I-26 Widening project which will reduce congestion and improve travel times upon completion. The Henderson County portion of the widening work remains on schedule for completion in the fall of 2024.
Drivers should remain alert, avoid distractions and obey all posted signs in the work zone.