ASHEVILLE – The N.C. Department of Transportation will open newly completed lanes later this week on Interstate 26 East from the bridge over Pond Road to Long Shoals Road.
But first, overnight closures are needed from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday nights to complete the last tasks. Then later this month, two lanes of the bridge over the French Broad River will close during daytime hours to seal the bridge.
The overnight closures on Wednesday and Thursday will stretch from I-40 to Long Shoals Road (Exit 37). The marked detour will direct drivers along I-40 East to Hendersonville Road (Exit 50) and south to either Long Shoals Road or Airport Road.
Opening this stretch of interstate allows eastbound drivers 12 miles of access to four lanes from I-40 all the way to U.S. 25 (Exit 44) in Hendersonville and three lanes from there to U.S. 64 (Exit 49).
Recent operations on I-26 East have included joint construction, bump-grinding for a smoother surface, and cutting and sealing concrete pavement.
These operations are part of the I-26 widening project. NCDOT encourages drivers to remain alert and obey all posted traffic signs.