ASHEVILLE – A few days after new permanent lanes opened along Interstate 26 in South Asheville, the next stretch of highway will open to additional lanes the morning of April 15, the N.C. Department of Transportation announced.
After an overnight closure to remove traffic control devices, the NCDOT contractor will open traffic to three lanes from Long Shoals Road southeast to Glenn Bridge Road in South Asheville. From there, the roadway will open to four lanes of travel and connect with the recent opening of a four-lane section beyond Airport Road, the release said.
Fluor-United Joint Venture is the contractor for the Buncombe County section of the I-26 project. NCDOT estimated the project to cost $531 million — $271 million for the Henderson County portion and $263 million for the Buncombe County portion.
A closure will be in effect from 8 p.m. April 14 until 6 a.m. April 15, the release said. All Interstate 240 West and I-26 East drivers will be detoured to Interstate 40 East down to Hendersonville Road/U.S. 25. Drivers will then be routed to I-26 at Exit 44.
“This has been a long time coming and we’re certainly happy to open this stretch of interstate for local drivers and those passing through,” Resident Engineer Luke Middleton said in the press release. “We certainly hope drivers remain safe while driving this stretch and obey the posted signs and speed limits.”
Crews still have some final tasks to be completed, including the installation of snow-plowable reflectors, fresh lane markings, and roadside signs. Some of this work will be completed during overnight closures, according to the release.
Opening this South Asheville stretch allows crews to concentrate on the northern half of I-26 Widening in Buncombe County, from Long Shoals Road to Brevard Road.
More: I-26 Connector project designs again include West Asheville interstate bridge over Patton
The northern stretch includes the creation of a new interchange at Exit 35, which was added to plans after the project started, the release said. The construction creates a new exit providing drivers with another route to Brevard Road by the North Carolina Arboretum. The Exit 35 interchange has an estimated late-2026 completion date, according to NCDOT.
Crews still must complete new westbound lanes in the northern portion of the project, finalize the new Blue Ridge Parkway bridge and remove the old bridge, according to the release. NCDOT officials anticipate completing final operations in late 2026.
“Drivers should certainly notice a big difference with the new lanes,” Middleton said. “And they should also see that we’re continuing to work and build a newer and better interstate.”
More: Henderson Co. side of $531 million I-26 widening project ‘functionally complete,’ NCDOT says
More: I-26 Connector project reduces number, width of bridges to save $124M: NCDOT
Ryley Ober is the Public Safety Reporter for Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at rober@gannett.com and follow her on Twitter @ryleyober
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: NC DOT opens new I-26 lanes in Buncombe County
