The reopening of I-40 in Western North Carolina has just been massively delayed after a second giant chunk of the roadway collapsed into the river due to heavy rain and freezing weather.
Initially set to reopen in early January, the highway’s completion date will now have to be put on an indefinite hold until engineers can ensure the stability of the entire roadway.
NCDOT has partnered with Wright Brothers Construction and GeoStabilization International to stabilize the affected area. Geotechnical engineers are implementing solutions like additional soil nails to reinforce the roadway and create a safe two-lane passage.
“It is an unfortunate situation,” NCDOT Division 14 Engineer Wanda Payne said in a press release. “It’s a new hurdle that we have to overcome in order to provide a safe facility for the travelling public.”
This work adds to ongoing stabilization efforts at 10 sites along a 4-mile stretch near the North Carolina-Tennessee state line. Engineers will continue to monitor conditions throughout winter to determine any further stabilization needs.
Since Hurricane Helene’s destruction in September, NCDOT and its contractors have reopened more than 1,200 roads statewide.
