I-26

[LM117]

Drilling work in the French Broad River for the I-26 Connector will begin next week.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2024/2024-09-23-i-26-connector-drilling.aspx

After being delayed by Helene, drilling will finally begin next week.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2025/2025-03-10-i-26-connector-drilling.aspx

[cowboy_wilhelm]

The first new travel lane in Buncombe or Henderson counties is open. There are now three eastbound lanes from exit 44 to exit 49.

[wriddle082]

The first new travel lane in Buncombe or Henderson counties is open. There are now three eastbound lanes from exit 44 to exit 49.

It made a big difference as I passed through the area around 5:30 earlier today, but it sure would be nice to have all of the new lanes from at least Long Shoals Rd.

In other I-26 news, up in Erwin, TN, just as I had predicted, the eastbound Nolichucky River crossing is complete, and both directions of traffic have been shifted to it while the westbound bridge gets a similar rebuild treatment.  The 12' width restriction is still in place.

[cowboy_wilhelm]

More lanes have opened eastbound. Four lanes are now open for about two miles between the rest area and Exit 44, where the number 4 lane exits.



New concrete is going down for the two outside westbound lanes near the future exit 35 interchange. It looks like the current westbound lanes will need to be shifted to the new lanes and the temporary westbound lanes on the eastbound side removed before the on-ramp can be graded and tied-in on the left side. Eastbound lanes can then shift to the westbound side so the temporary eastbound lanes can be torn out and rebuilt with concrete.

[bob7374]

NCDOT press release indicating more lanes opening this week on I-26:
https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2025/2025-04-09-i-26-opens-new-lanes.aspx

[cowboy_wilhelm]

What I can gather from NCDOT's CCTV this morning (April 10):

Westbound

• Still two lanes from Exit 49 to Exit 44 (U.S. 25)
• Four lanes to Exit 40 (Airport)
• Three lanes to Exit 37 (lane maybe exits to Long Shoals?).
• Two lanes almost to Exit 33 (N.C. 191), then four lanes to the I-40 interchange.*
• * Construction/lane closure at Exit 31A for lane exiting to I-40 EB.

Eastbound

• Two lanes to Exit 40 (Airport)
• Four lanes to Exit 44 (lane exits to U.S. 25)
• Three lanes to Exit 49B (lane exits to U.S. 64 WB)

[LM117]

More new lanes opened yesterday.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2025/2025-04-14-new-i-26-lanes-buncombe.aspx

[LM117]

NCDOT is holding a project update meeting on April 24 to show updated plans for the northern section of the I-26 Connector.

https://www.ncdot.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/2025/2025-04-17-i-26-connector-update.aspx

[Great Lakes Roads]

Found a random video on the I-26 Connector project in Asheville. NCDOT has changed the design for the Patton Ave interchange, which goes from an overpass (Patton over I-26) to an underpass (I-26 over Patton).