I-40 in North Carolina

[rickmastfan67]

In Switzerland, A13 suffered a catastrophic washout this summer, as a flash flood caused the river to move its riverbed into the four lane highway.




They managed to have it open with 2 lanes within 13 days and a final repair with four lanes was open after 2.5 months.







I don't want to imply that restoring I-40 can be done equally fast, but maybe it doesn't need to take until 2028.

Problem here is that A13 looks like it was only a couple of feet above that river.  I would say I-40 is like 5x times higher up from the river.  Much harder to deal with, plus the WB lanes were partially undermined as well (even though the asphalt was still in tact).

[Strider]

It sounds like that both Interstates will be closed for some time, months to up to a year.  But it does appear that I-26 will be likely be reopened before I-40.  I figure that after that point, sections of I-26 and I-81 will be designated as "Temporary" or "Detour" I-40, just to patch the discontinuity in a transcontinental Interstate highway.

If I-40 has to be relocated or tunneled, or even if  a viaduct is built over the east side of the river to replace the lost roadbed, it could be several years before I-40 is reopened in that area.  In the near term, there are not other good alternatives to either I-40 or I-26 north and west of Asheville.

US 25-US 70 (going to Newport, TN) is one of the alternatives for I-40 and I-26 traffic but you're right, it isn't a good alternative as it is 2 lanes with some hairpin turns in extremely western NC and eastern Tennessee.

NC 208, TN 70 and US-11E (Asheville Highway) is the other alternative (mostly for I-26 traffic) that branches off US 25-70 going to Greeneville, TN. And that road already seen heavy traffic. It isn't a good alternative either.

Now, if those routes are 4 laned, they can make good alternatives. Maybe both NCDOT and TDOT will consider widening those roads in the distant future just in case situations close both I-40 and I-26 again.

[BlueRidge]

NC 208 closely follows Big Laurel Creek and Shelton Laurel Creek between its junction with 25/70 and its junction with NC 212. Simply put, that section is not a candidate for widening of any description.

From 212 JCT to the TN State Line is theoretically doable, but...no. No way in hell.

[Strider]

NC 208 closely follows Big Laurel Creek and Shelton Laurel Creek between its junction with 25/70 and its junction with NC 212. Simply put, that section is not a candidate for widening of any description.

From 212 JCT to the TN State Line is theoretically doable, but...no. No way in hell.

You can always blast the rocks on the right side or build a bypass. Either way, I don't see NCDOT doing anything on that area, but I will not be surprised if they do.

[webny99]

It sounds like that both Interstates will be closed for some time, months to up to a year.  But it does appear that I-26 will be likely be reopened before I-40.  I figure that after that point, sections of I-26 and I-81 will be designated as "Temporary" or "Detour" I-40, just to patch the discontinuity in a transcontinental Interstate highway.

If I-40 has to be relocated or tunneled, or even if  a viaduct is built over the east side of the river to replace the lost roadbed, it could be several years before I-40 is reopened in that area.  In the near term, there are not other good alternatives to either I-40 or I-26 north and west of Asheville.

US 25-US 70 (going to Newport, TN) is one of the alternatives for I-40 and I-26 traffic but you're right, it isn't a good alternative as it is 2 lanes with some hairpin turns in extremely western NC and eastern Tennessee.

NC 208, TN 70 and US-11E (Asheville Highway) is the other alternative (mostly for I-26 traffic) that branches off US 25-70 going to Greeneville, TN. And that road already seen heavy traffic. It isn't a good alternative either.

Now, if those routes are 4 laned, they can make good alternatives. Maybe both NCDOT and TDOT will consider widening those roads in the distant future just in case situations close both I-40 and I-26 again.

Are these alternate routes currently open to traffic? And what about US 441? Is that a viable route for I-40 traffic?

It sure doesn't look to me like there are many good routes for N/S thru and truck traffic between I-75 and I-77 until either I-26 or I-40 is able to be reconstructed/reopened, but maybe I'm missing something.

[Mapmikey]

Longterm, US 19E isn't too bad for an I-26 detour.  I would also consider old US 23 to get around the Nolichucky bridge instead of running all over the mountains.

No way no how on US 129, US 441, or US 19W if you are interested in making any time at all or are in a truck.

[wdcrft63]

Longterm, US 19E isn't too bad for an I-26 detour.  I would also consider old US 23 to get around the Nolichucky bridge instead of running all over the mountains.

No way no how on US 129, US 441, or US 19W if you are interested in making any time at all or are in a truck.

Folks living in our near the NC mountains might need an alternate route through the Smokies, but for anyone living at a distance there's no problem at all. Winston-Salem to Knoxville via US 52/I-77/I-81 is less than 20 miles longer than the I-40 mileage and without the Pigeon River Gorge the driving times are even closer.

[Henry]

We already know of the I-77/I-81 detour for I-40, but for I-26, maybe I-385, I-85, I-285, I-75 and I-81 would also be another great way to go around it. While Atlanta will get its usual heavy traffic spots augmented by the truck ban inside the Perimeter, the other highways should be smooth sailing.

[PColumbus73]

We already know of the I-77/I-81 detour for I-40, but for I-26, maybe I-385, I-85, I-285, I-75 and I-81 would also be another great way to go around it. While Atlanta will get its usual heavy traffic spots augmented by the truck ban inside the Perimeter, the other highways should be smooth sailing.

I would guess long haul traffic using I-26 from Charleston or I-95 would likely be trying to reach Nashville / bypass Atlanta to get to I-40, or I-75. A mid-to-long term detour for I-26 would probably involve I-20, 285, 75 (or 24)

[ZLoth]

I looked at the October, 2025 reopening date as a "minimum" date pending a full evaluation by the transportation departments. Even then, it may not be "fully reopen" with restrictuins, as probably some sections would be single lanes in each direction while reconstruction is taking place.

Looks to be a nice area to drive through.

[webny99]

Folks living in our near the NC mountains might need an alternate route through the Smokies, but for anyone living at a distance there's no problem at all. Winston-Salem to Knoxville via US 52/I-77/I-81 is less than 20 miles longer than the I-40 mileage and without the Pigeon River Gorge the driving times are even closer.

I-77/I-81 works well for traffic from points east, but it's the north/south traffic that's the bigger issue, particularly getting across the Smokies from northern SC or really anywhere between Atlanta and Charlotte.

Greenville, SC to Knoxville right now uses US 74/US 441 to get around the I-40 closure, but trucks aren't allowed on that route and it's very slow through Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge even on a good day.

[Strider]

It sounds like that both Interstates will be closed for some time, months to up to a year.  But it does appear that I-26 will be likely be reopened before I-40.  I figure that after that point, sections of I-26 and I-81 will be designated as "Temporary" or "Detour" I-40, just to patch the discontinuity in a transcontinental Interstate highway.

If I-40 has to be relocated or tunneled, or even if  a viaduct is built over the east side of the river to replace the lost roadbed, it could be several years before I-40 is reopened in that area.  In the near term, there are not other good alternatives to either I-40 or I-26 north and west of Asheville.

US 25-US 70 (going to Newport, TN) is one of the alternatives for I-40 and I-26 traffic but you're right, it isn't a good alternative as it is 2 lanes with some hairpin turns in extremely western NC and eastern Tennessee.

NC 208, TN 70 and US-11E (Asheville Highway) is the other alternative (mostly for I-26 traffic) that branches off US 25-70 going to Greeneville, TN. And that road already seen heavy traffic. It isn't a good alternative either.

Now, if those routes are 4 laned, they can make good alternatives. Maybe both NCDOT and TDOT will consider widening those roads in the distant future just in case situations close both I-40 and I-26 again.

Are these alternate routes currently open to traffic? And what about US 441? Is that a viable route for I-40 traffic?

It sure doesn't look to me like there are many good routes for N/S thru and truck traffic between I-75 and I-77 until either I-26 or I-40 is able to be reconstructed/reopened, but maybe I'm missing something.

Yes, US-25/US-70 and NC 208 road are open. Traffic is currently using those alternatives.

US-441 is open, but trucks and commercial vehicles can't use that road through The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. (They're already being told to turn around by NPS in that area). I think US-441 is a bit too far away to be an alternative for I-40 traffic though.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

WLOS reports that NCDOT has let a contract for temporary shoring (soil nailing) to stabilize the westbound lanes. This will hopefully be done by the beginning of January. "About the time this shoring up operation wraps up, we should be very far along on plans for the long-term repairs on I-40 in the gorge." So, probably going to a one-lane configuration sometime in the winter.

[PColumbus73]

How extensive is the damage? DriveNC shows an area near MM 4 and a section between Exits 66-73. MM 4, I would guess, being where the eastbound lanes collapsed into the river, but is the area between 66-73 just landslides?

[webny99]

Another I-40 closure in NC, but this time in Winston-Salem due to an overturned truck and oil spill, causing delays in excess of 2 hours:

https://abc45.com/news/local/i-40-west-lanes-closed-from-overturned-tractor-trailer-in-winston-salem-traffic-crash-investigation-active-northcarolina

[jdunlop]

How extensive is the damage? DriveNC shows an area near MM 4 and a section between Exits 66-73. MM 4, I would guess, being where the eastbound lanes collapsed into the river, but is the area between 66-73 just landslides?

For the most part, yes, "just" mudslides.  One of the pictures most shown/shared is one at the Eastern Continental Divide at the top of the hill going WB from Old Fort.  Google Maps Link

The "Truck Weigh Station" is actually a mandatory stop for trucks that are about to go down the mountain, warning about brakes and showing where the runaway truck ramps are located.

A friend who lives just north of Asheville waited it out until 40 EB was cleared, and she made it to her mother's home in Chapel Hill earlier this week.  So I-40 is open east of Asheville, not that people not associated with rescue efforts show venture out towards Western North Carolina.

[RoadMaster09]

Longterm, US 19E isn't too bad for an I-26 detour.  I would also consider old US 23 to get around the Nolichucky bridge instead of running all over the mountains.

No way no how on US 129, US 441, or US 19W if you are interested in making any time at all or are in a truck.

Folks living in our near the NC mountains might need an alternate route through the Smokies, but for anyone living at a distance there's no problem at all. Winston-Salem to Knoxville via US 52/I-77/I-81 is less than 20 miles longer than the I-40 mileage and without the Pigeon River Gorge the driving times are even closer.

In the Fictional folder, a bit of a discussion is on about extending I-24 through (via US 74).

[CanesFan27]

I took a deeper dive into the history of Interstate 40 through North Carolina's Pigeon River Gorge.  Why and how it was routed through the area.  Past closures and issues.   The debate between the Pigeon and French Broad Rivers for routing the highway - and a chief engineer of the then-newly formed NC 14th state highway division was able to work with Tennessee to move the Asheville-Knoxville (eventually I-40) section of the Interstate Highway System to the Pigeon River Gorge.

Lots more in the article:
https://www.gribblenation.org/2024/10/interstate-40s-tumultuous-ride-through.html

[74/171FAN]

A photo tour of I-40 from Exit 299 (Person St/Hammond Rd) to NC 210 (Exit 319) in both directions from 10/12/2024:  https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBPEjp

[brian440i]

This is a little old (October 16th) but found the Article summarize current state of I-40 very well and references plan to have I-40 partial Open in January 2025.

https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/ncdot-selects-contractor-to-begin-making-repairs-on-hurricane-damaged-interstate-40/66177

[PColumbus73]

If they're intent on keeping I-40 in the Pigeon River, maybe they should consider elevating the whole thing like the H3 in Hawaii, or I-90 through Wallace, ID. I know we're talking about a much longer portion of highway but given the amount of issues they've had and now having to rebuild half of it from Helene, maybe it would be a more permanent solution.

[bob7374]

NCDOT thinks they can open 2 lanes of traffic on I-40 between NC and TN by New Year's Day (1/1/25):
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-11-05-i-40-gorge-two-lanes.aspx

[rickmastfan67]

NCDOT thinks they can open 2 lanes of traffic on I-40 between NC and TN by New Year's Day (1/1/25):
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-11-05-i-40-gorge-two-lanes.aspx

[rickmastfan67]

[ElishaGOtis]

Billions of dollars to simply repair the section for long term!? Holy moly