Asheville: I-26 West section will be closed May 22

Asheville: I-26 West section will be closed May 22

What to know about detours, timing, more

I-26 West closed for construction

The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced the overnight closure of an 18-mile stretch of Interstate-26 West in Asheville and Henderson County on May 22, starting around 8 p.m. The closure was necessary to allow construction crews to conduct operations in multiple areas overnight.

Reopening details

The closure of I-26 West will extend from U.S. 64 (Exit 49) in Henderson County to I-40 (Exit 31) in Buncombe County. The highway was expected to reopen early in the morning on May 23, with new traffic patterns implemented as a result of the construction work.

Detours and traffic impact

During the closure, westbound traffic will be directed to use U.S. 64 West into Hendersonville and U.S. 25 North (Asheville Highway) into Buncombe County. Traffic lights along the detour routes will be adjusted to accommodate the additional interstate traffic.

Reasons for closure

The closure of I-26 West is necessary to allow contractor crews to conduct a significant traffic shift in Henderson County. This traffic shift involves moving westbound traffic onto new concrete surfaces in temporary and permanent patterns. Additionally, asphalt upgrades will be carried out in several sections in Buncombe County during the closure.

Construction crews at work

The construction work on I-26 West is being undertaken by contracted crews. These crews will be working to complete the necessary traffic shifts and asphalt upgrades efficiently and effectively.