ASHEVILLE – Contractors for the N.C. Department of Transportation plan to close different sections of Interstate 26 four nights this week as part of the widening projects.
Each closure will start no earlier than 8 p.m. each night with the interstate opening again by 6 a.m. the following morning. The Integrated Corridor Management system will provide longer green lights along each detour to accommodate additional overnight interstate traffic.
Buncombe County
I-26 West will close from Long Shoals Road (Exit 37) to I-40 on Monday through Thursday nights. Crews from Fluor-United Joint Venture will place girders on a section of the bridge over the French Broad River.
The marked detour will direct drivers east on Long Shoals Road, north on Hendersonville Road (U.S. 25) to I-40 West and then Brevard Road (Exit 47) to join I-26 West/I-240 East.
Henderson County
I-26 East will close Monday through Thursday nights from U.S. 25 Business (Exit 44) to U.S 64 (Exit 49) so crews from Archer-Wright Joint Venture can place beams for a new bridge over Clear Creek.
The marked detour will direct drivers south on U.S. 25 Business (Asheville Highway) to U.S. 176 (Spartanburg Highway) to Upward Road where drivers will rejoin I-26 at Exit 53.
These operations are part of the I-26 widening projects — one in each county — that will improve safety and reduce travel times along the critical transportation corridor.
NCDOT officials remind drivers to remain alert, obey all posted traffic signs and drive with caution in work zones and along detours.