Asheville Bridge Reopens After Hurricane Helene Repairs, Easing Traffic for Thousands

Asheville’s Busy Bridge Reopens After Months of Detours

Asheville, N.C. is buzzing with excitement as one of its busiest bridges finally reopened on Tuesday evening, December 17th. The bridge located on US 70, near the VA Medical Center, has been under repair for several months after it was washed away by the impact of Hurricane Helene. For context, around 16,000 vehicles typically cross this bridge daily, but that hasn’t been the case since the storm wreaked havoc.

Life on the Detour

Many residents, like Kenneth Clanton, were eager to see the bridge back in action. Clanton, who drives veterans from the restoration quarters for ABCCM, has relied heavily on this route. “Most of the guys have appointments at the VA that I’m responsible for,” he explained. “The VA is the majority of my trips.” Before the bridge washed away, Clanton’s trips would take just five to six minutes. However, with the detour in place, he found himself taking a longer route through Interstate 40 and US 70, which could last anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes.

“Around three o’clock, you can’t cross the road without touching a car,” he noted. Thankfully, he was anticipating a significant change by Wednesday morning when traffic patterns would begin to ease up again.

Community Relief

Residents in Asheville and surrounding areas have been waiting impatiently for the reopening. According to Tom Veazey, the NCDOT Asheville Resident Engineer, “Especially in Swannanoa, people have struggled.” The bridge’s opening will greatly improve the flow of traffic, giving everyone a reason to cheer. The long project wasn’t without its challenges; in fact, when crews began work, the area around the bridge was nearly unrecognizable.

“If you come 50 feet off of the bridge, there was basically nothing left,” Veazey described. “It was debris and the dirt we’re standing on was in the Swannanoa River.” A lot of work went into reinforcing the site, including rebuilding a reinforced retaining wall that could support the road. “This project was no small feat,” he added.

Impact Beyond US 70

The reopening of the bridge is expected to have a ripple effect on traffic beyond just US 70. “For everyone that travels Interstate 240 daily, this will have an impact there,” Viasey confirmed. He noted that traffic should improve significantly, particularly where Tunnel Road meets 240. Less congestion will surely be a welcome relief for weary commuters!

A Heartfelt Thank You

Clanton couldn’t contain his joy upon hearing the news. “Hallelujah! It’s been a long time coming,” he exclaimed. His appreciation wasn’t just for the bridge itself but also for the workers who made it all happen. “We’re thankful for the workers. They’ve been out in a lot of time and hard work. We appreciate them very much.”

A New Era for Asheville’s Infrastructure

Now that the US 70 bridge project is completed, crews will be redirected to other rebuilding efforts across Western North Carolina. It’s a busy time for these workers, and there’s plenty of infrastructure to tackle, especially in light of the damage caused by Helene.

For now, Asheville can breathe a sigh of relief as traffic flows smoothly once more. This news is a clear reminder of the community’s resilience and the essential role that infrastructure plays in everyday life. Here’s to safe journeys ahead!