ASHEVILLE – Another major milestone in the Interstate 26 Widening project is scheduled for Tuesday night.
On Wednesday morning, traffic on a four-mile stretch of I-26 East will drive on new concrete from the Blue Ridge Parkway to Airport Road.
A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation will close I-26 East on Tuesday night from I-40 to Airport Road allowing crews from Fluor-United to safely perform the final tasks of the traffic shift.
“It’s nice to conclude one major phase of construction and allow another phase of this project to begin,” Division 13 Construction Engineer Nathan Moneyham said. “Drivers should remain alert to the change the first time they drive through.”
Switching traffic to the new concrete — on what will eventually become I-26 West — will allow crews to remove the existing eastbound lanes, build new substructure and eventually new lanes heading toward Hendersonville. The switch also creates a safe area for operations to begin on the western side of the new Blue Ridge Parkway bridge.
The closure on Tuesday night will begin no earlier than 8 p.m. with a slow-roll on I-40 East from the weigh station, and on I-240 West from a staging area. A marked detour — with longer green lights to accommodate interstate traffic — will guide drivers south on Hendersonville Road to Airport Road where drivers may return to I-26 at Exit 40 or continue south and join it at Exit 44. Wednesday night will serve as a backup if necessary.
Transportation officials remind drivers to avoid distractions, maintain a safe speed and obey all posted traffic signs.