US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited Western North Carolina yesterday to discuss the rebuilding of Interstate 40, damaged by Hurricane Helene.
Torrential rain caused part of eastbound I-40 to fall into the Pigeon River, while westbound lanes remain unstable. Currently, an $8 million contract is in place to stabilize the slope by January 2025, allowing partial traffic flow.
During yesterday’s press conference, Buttigieg noted that it will take billions of dollars and potentially years to fully complete the repairs on I-40.
The state is prioritizing repairs based on traffic volume and community access. Although $100 million in emergency federal funding has been approved, Buttigieg noted it is too early to determine exactly how I-40 will be reconstructed or the timeline for reopening. He stressed that safety and engineering will lead the decision-making process as federal agencies commit long-term support to North Carolina’s recovery.
You can watch the full press conference here:
