In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, significant progress has been made in restoring roads in Western North Carolina. The initiative to repair infrastructure has garnered attention from both state and national leaders.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein announced a substantial pledge of $1.15 billion from the Federal Highway Administration, aimed at reimbursing the state for road repairs linked to Hurricane Helene’s destruction.
During a visit to I-40 near Pigeon River Gorge, Stein was accompanied by U.S. Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster and other officials to highlight the recovery efforts one year after Helene’s impact.
The hurricane had devastated over 9,000 sites, leading to the closure of more than 1,400 roads. However, substantial recovery has occurred since then.
“97% of all state maintained roads closed by Helene have been reopened,” Stein reported.
Road repair costs due to Helene are estimated at $5 billion, according to North Carolina Secretary of Transportation Joey Hopkins, who is set to retire.
“To put that in perspective, from 2016 to just before Helene, the department spent about $600 million on road repairs following all named and declared storms in North Carolina,” Hopkins noted.
McMaster highlighted that this funding from the Federal Highway Administration is the largest emergency relief allocation to a single state in the department’s history.
This financial support will aid in reconstructing roads like I-40, which reopened as a single lane in each direction in March. Additionally, the Blue Ridge Parkway will receive $50 million for its restoration.
“I-40 is a vital interstate that allows people and goods to travel across Asheville and Western North Carolina through the mountains of eastern Tennessee, from families taking road trips to large freight trucks,” McMaster said.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is currently focused on a four-mile section of I-40 near the N.C.-Tennessee border, which lost portions of its shoulder and lanes due to the storm. Completion is expected by late 2028, with costs exceeding a billion dollars.
Stein expressed gratitude for federal assistance but emphasized the need for further support.
“The average federal contribution to a state after a major storm is a percentage of the total damage is about 50%,” Stein stated. “Today, North Carolina has received 11%. I’m calling on Congress to pass a new $13.5 billion appropriation to send more support our way.”
Blue Ridge Parkway is 90% repaired
In conjunction with Stein’s announcement, representatives from the Trump Administration, including Deputy Secretary of the Interior Kate MacGregor and McMaster, attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a newly reopened section of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Hurricane Helene had severely affected the 469-mile Parkway, causing over 50 landslides that destroyed sections of the road.
Sections of the Parkway have gradually reopened, restoring access to notable locations like Craggy Gardens and Mount Mitchell just last week.
MacGregor emphasized the administration’s commitment to the region’s recovery, stating, “Our entire team is dedicated to being a strong and reliable partner in the region’s long-term recovery. Put simply, we want this road fully open, safe, and welcoming for all who travel it.”
With over 90% of the Parkway now accessible, work continues on the remaining areas, especially those north of Mount Mitchell and south of Little Switzerland. Complete repairs are anticipated by the fall of 2026.
