The reopening of a segment of Interstate 40 in western North Carolina that collapsed during Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic floods has been postponed after more asphalt from eastbound lanes fell this week, the state Department of Transportation announced on Friday.
In late September, flooding in the Pigeon River gorge swept away more than 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) of I-40’s eastbound lanes, cutting off the key road connection between North Carolina and eastern Tennessee.
Transportation crews and contractors originally worked on reopening Haywood County’s westbound lanes to two-way traffic during the first week of January. According to a state DOT news release, the new damage will keep it closed until engineers assess that the location is safe enough for drivers to travel in such a restricted path across the canyon.
“It’s an unfortunate situation,” division engineer Wanda Payne stated. “It’s a new hurdle that we have to overcome in order to provide a safe facility for the travelling public.”
Wet weather and freeze-thaw conditions are to blame for the fresh slip, according to the department. Contractors have been working to stabilize one lane in each direction from Harmon Den to the Tennessee boundary, which is approximately 7 miles (11.3 kilometers).
“We would like to open the corridor as soon as it is safe to do so,” Payne told the crowd. “We know it is a critical route for folks who live here, visit here and travel through here.”
Hurricane Helene and her aftermath destroyed roads and bridges in almost 6,900 locations, according to a state government damage and needs assessment report. The agency, its contractors, and partners have reopened almost 1,200 closed roads.