A crucial stretch of Interstate 40 through North Carolina’s Pigeon River Gorge reopened Saturday, five months after Hurricane Helene devastated the region and severed a key freight corridor.
While still under construction, the 12-mile segment is now operational, albeit with limited capacity. Traffic is restricted to two lanes, and vehicles must navigate between 9-inch concrete barriers as engineers continue stabilization efforts.
Before the storm, this portion of I-40 served as a vital trucking route, linking East Coast ports with Midwestern supply hubs. The closure caused significant disruptions, delaying shipments of auto parts, produce and other goods.
Businesses in western North Carolina suffered millions in lost revenue, highlighting the highway’s economic significance.
Spencer Linn, vice president of East West Inc., a North Carolina-based trucking company, told CNN the shutdown forced drivers to reroute hundreds of miles, impacting operations.
“Even with the highway open, we expect logistical challenges with it being one lane,” he said.
The reopening is a temporary fix. Construction crews installed steel-reinforced soil nails to stabilize the eroded mountainside, but full restoration could take years. Costs for temporary repairs exceed $15 million, with permanent reconstruction estimates still in progress.
Transportation officials warn delays will persist as crews work toward a long-term solution.
“This is an active work zone,” said Nathan Tanner, an engineer with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. “We’ll be pursuing permanent repairs while traffic moves through.”
Officials anticipate it will take two to three years to fully restore the four-lane highway, pending weather and material availability.
Source: CNN, AOL.com
