FAIRVIEW – N.C. Department of Transportation crews completed a deep culvert replacement on U.S. 74A early Wednesday morning as part of ongoing operations to repairs roads from recent storm damage.
The highway had been closed since Tuesday morning when officials encountered the collapsed culvert in a switchback section near the Henderson County line.
NCDOT crews from the Buncombe County yard dug more than 20 feet below the road surface, replaced the culvert, filled the void, and compacted the gravel before sunrise Wednesday morning. Additional crews are expected to install guardrail and pave the short stretch on Wednesday afternoon.
Heavy rains Monday night damaged some roads, shoulders and pipes concentrated in northeast Henderson County near the Buncombe County line.
Bearwallow Mountain Road suffered damage in a Hurricane Helene workzone where water eroded the temporary gravel stretch of the road. A contractor for NCDOT is currently repairing the damage, and plans open the road late Thursday.
NCDOT crews from Henderson County and other locations across Division 14 — the 10 westernmost counties in North Carolina — will spend the week making urgent repairs where necessary including Rhodes Road in Henderson County.
Transportation officials remind drivers to remain alert, obey all posted traffic signs and follow instructions of flaggers for the safety of motorists and workers.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.