Interstate 40 near the state line is scheduled to reopen this weekend under “unusual” conditions for the first time since Hurricane Helene destroyed the roadway
The 12 mile stretch of I-40 from Cold Springs Creek Road (Exit 7) in North Carolina to Big Creek Road (Exit 447) in Tennessee, is set to open on Saturday, March 1st with some limitations.
According to Sandhill Sentinel, the highway is being reopened with “unusual conditions.” These include a reduced speed limit of 35 mph, a square, 9 inch concrete barrier separating traffic, one emergency only lane on the eastbound side, periodic breaks in traffic to allow for emergency medical service access, and no wide-loads allowed.
Officials warn that the reopened highway will likely experience delays due to these conditions, and say that drivers should consider I-26 from Asheville to Kingsport, Tenn., then I-81 South to I-40 as an alternate route.
Truck drivers are warned that, while semi trucks are allowed on the stretch of I-40, there are no alternate routes for trucks beyond Exit 20, despite what some GPS directions advise. Wide loads are required to use I-77 and I-81 to travel between North Carolina and Tennessee.