ASHEVILLE – The old Blue Ridge Parkway bridge over Interstate 26 is being removed in pieces by a contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation.
Overnight closures of I-26 in both directions will be necessary starting Sunday night to continue removing segments of the old bridge that are directly over interstate traffic.
The nightly closures will run from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. Additional signage will be placed to assist drivers who are unfamiliar with the overnight closure process in Buncombe County.
Traffic on I-26 West will be diverted Sunday night until Wednesday to Airport Road (Exit 40) then north on Hendersonville Road (U.S. 25) to I-40, then, if necessary, to N.C. 191 and I-240 East. Traffic on I-26 West on Thursday night will be diverted at U.S. 25 (Exit 44). Traffic on I-26 East will be diverted to Brevard Road (Exit 33) then west on Long Shoals Road (N.C. 146) back to I-26 East. NCDOT will program all signals with longer green lights on the detour routes.
The exact number of nights necessary will be determined as the operation progresses. Beginning at 9 p.m. Oct. 19, the contractor is scheduled to work Sunday night through Thursday night. The second week of work may begin Sunday night, Oct. 26. Fluor-United, and its sub-contractors, may need fewer or additional nights.
The new Blue Ridge Parkway bridge will not be closed for these operations, but drivers may experience short delays related to construction or additional autumn traffic.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.