ASHEVILLE – Interstate 40 is closed in Haywood County this afternoon while crews remove some unstable rock masses at mile marker 6, near the Tennessee border.
Through traffic to Tennessee is detoured through Asheville on I-26 West to Johnson City, then south on I-81 to access I-40 west of Newport. Local traffic is able to use I-40 west of Asheville through Canton, Clyde and Maggie Valley to Harmon Den (Exit 7).
I-40 is expected to reopen later this evening (Sept. 15), once crews stabilize the slope.
“Safety is always our top priority,” says Aaron Powell, NCDOT District Engineer. “We want to be sure the area we’ve been working in is completely safe before reopening the highway to traffic. We appreciate drivers’ patience as we ensure their safe passage through Haywood County.”
Construction in that area started in June to reduce the risk of rockslides. The project is expected to be complete in mid-October.
Get real-time travel information from the Travelers Services section of NCDOT.gov, or follow NCDOT on Twitter
– NCDOT
