I-40 won't reopen by Jan. 1, 2025

Communications Officer of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) David Uchiyama confirms that the damaged stretch of I-40 in Haywood County will not reopen by Jan. 1, 2025, as originally planned.
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[davcuts]

Shucks, I know people are disappointed, but a hurricane struck us hundreds of miles from the coast. None of us expected or was prepared for it. You might want to ask who you are mad at. Be thankful you're still here to have to wait till January or whenever it reopens.

[moonmunster]

Don't blame the NC DOT. At least not yet. Helene washed out the roads. Mother Nature is more powerful than humans. The roads will get fixed eventually. Until then, try to reduce your driving as much as you can on the roads used for the detour. I live north of Asheville. I don't like all the extra traffic either.

[mikedolan]

Hey Zach, here’s an idea. Why don’t you go and complain to the hard working men and women of the NCDOT. They’ll tell you to pick up a shovel or better yet, move back to Tampa with your pretty-boy hair.

[garycousino]

Poor Hot Springs getting beat to death with traffic

[shaunaoneal]

It's not Dot fault people just need to learn patience .

[suebozarth]

Aww, Gee, drivers are upset for the delay! Think about all the people who are REALLY affected by this mess, no homes, no jobs, no help from our wonderful government and a lot with fewer relatives left!

[Ninja-Mama]

This dude is complaining about NC roads not being kept up like where he came from in Tampa! How many mountains are in Tampa? How many? 125, 000 homes were destroyed! People are still sleeping in tents! 😡

[mattcookeco]

So maybe mention that the detour follows 26 to 81. NOT THROUGH MADISON COUNTY!!! The detour traffic traveling through Marshall and Hot Springs NC is severely hampering their hurricane recovery efforts and putting lives at risk daily. Not including all the traffic accidents and wrecks we've had here, the traffic is bumper to bumper for miles on 25/70 which is slowing response times for law enforcement, ambulances and firefighters to a crawl. Please do not follow your phone, follow the posted detours, i promise it'll be easier and possibly faster. We literally have an entire interstate driving on a 2 lane country road that is so curvey that semi trucks over 49' are prohibited because they are not capable of negotiating the curves without going off the road or into oncoming traffic. DOT, if you happen to read this, PLEASE override the map apps and make these people follow the highway detour. And if you do drive through my county, or anywhere that has a massive traffic detour, please be respectful, dont throw out your trash and let other cars merge into traffic or let oncoming traffic turn onto side roads. I often have to stand in the road to stop traffic just so people can get out of my driveway

[mpbenva]

And how many of these negative Nellie's on your spotlight have ever rebuilt a road after a disaster.? I cannot support the minor inconvenience commuters are experience knowing the devastating circumstances many more rural Helene devastated communities continue to experience. I'd suggest only soliciting comments from those with civil engineering or geology credentials. It's a huge challenge! Let's all show some grace...

[mushethecowboycook]

Hey dude, move back to Tampa to start with. I-40 take awhile because it’s not a matter of patching holes

[vha]

Can't blame DOT. Blame Herlene. Locals have it worse

[alanosborne]

HEY ZACH IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH NCDOT YOU CAN ALWAYS GO BACK TO FLORIDUH....WE WON'T MISS YOU!!

[sandraryan]

Please Please tell everyone that the victims of Helene still need ALOT of HELP PLEASE 🙏

[BarrierIsland]

We're still having problems in Florida. We get it...

[marksgoogle]

I don't expect this to be open for a long time but... This road does not look salvageable. It was noted early on a full bridge would be needed. I dont think it can be tweaked into repair

[bwtawny]

DOT is a bit overwhelmed post hurricane. People going to have to suck it up and be patient.

[chanchan]

I know it’s frustrating but please remember how many are homeless or living in campers while it’s below freezing and 45 mph wind gusts. Say a prayer while you’re waiting. Remember how fortunate you really are.

[adamcordell]

12 years ago 26 was always below the speed limit anyways because of the cloverleaf exchanges limiting any expansion of a 3rd lane between Hendersonville, Arden and Asheville.

My wife and I went back and visited Brevard a couple of years ago and it was bumper to bumper then, too.

I can’t imagine how this is compounding the volume of traffic.

[celiaannnc]

I am sure the pretty guy from Tampa could do better than NCDOT at rebuilding a major highway mountain pass that narrowly runs between a rushing river and rock walls on a dirt bed that no longer exists in spots. I mean, surely it's like repairing cracks and holes in the roads around Tampa.

[RonnieMilford-sguj]

It is what it is can not help what mother nature did live with it there's still people living in tents there think about it 🤨🤔