UPDATE at 1:40 p.m. — I-40 West has opened between Hendersonville Road and I-26.
UPDATE at 9:45 a.m. — NCDOT anticipates opening both lanes of I-40 West in this stretch by 2 p.m. under temporary conditions. The contractor will return later this week for an overnight operation to complete the operation.
ASHEVILLE – A stretch of Interstate 40 in Asheville that closed this weekend for bridge rehabilitation will remain closed into Monday.
I-40 West, between Hendersonville Road (Exit 50) and I-26 (Exit 46A), will remain closed with the detour directing drivers to I-240 West.
Onramps from Hendersonville Road to I-40 West are also closed with message boards alerting motorists to utilize I-40 East to I-240 West. The Brevard Road onramp to I-40 West is also closed with traffic detoured to utilize the I-240 West route.
A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation encountered issues with the last batch of latex-modified concrete early Monday morning. This specialized concrete is used on bridge decks to protect the steel rebar inside. Without the proper mix, the concrete does not set correctly, and the mix is unable to safely sustain traffic.
Initial plans called for completion of the weekend operation by 6 a.m. on Monday.
This work is an early phase of a $27.9 million interstate rehabilitation project that includes roadway resurfacing and bridge overlays. It will also address spalling concrete on bridge substructure components — including the piers — and improve the riding surface of the four I-40 bridges over Hominy Creek and two bridges over the French Broad River. The contract calls for completion in the spring of 2026.