Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts Continue: Updates on Road Repairs in North Carolina
In a visit to Chimney Rock, North Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson provided updates on ongoing road restoration efforts nearly two years after Hurricane Helene. The hurricane had initially closed numerous roads, but with the dedication of NCDOT personnel, over 99% have been reopened.
Despite the progress, significant work remains in the western regions of North Carolina, including the permanent repair of roads in Hickory Nut Gorge. Recent severe weather has delayed recovery efforts along U.S. 64 and U.S. 74A, which are crucial routes connecting Chimney Rock, Lake Lure, Gerton, Bat Cave, and Edneyville. Johnson highlighted the swift response by NCDOT staff, stating, “DOT’s folks were on the ground in this gorge hours and days after the storm. They worked tirelessly to rebuild a temporary road where no road existed to restore access to the gorge.”
The completion of the Hickory Nut Gorge project is anticipated by 2029. During this period, the recommended route from Asheville to Chimney Rock is via U.S. 64 through Hendersonville and Bat Cave.
Another major undertaking is the $2 billion reconstruction of Interstate 40 in the Pigeon River Gorge, expected to conclude by late 2028. This project, described by Johnson as “one of the largest reconstruction projects probably in the history of the United States,” involves building a retaining wall designed to withstand future flooding.
In addition to these large-scale projects, smaller efforts are also underway. A significant section of U.S. 176 between Saluda and Tryon remains closed, redirecting traffic to Interstate 26. NCDOT has indicated that repair work on this stretch will commence in the fall and is projected to be finalized by late 2029.
Reflecting on the progress, Johnson expressed admiration for the achievements of the NCDOT staff, stating, “I think they’ve completed decades’ worth of work in less than two years. But we’ve still got some significant challenges ahead.”
For further details on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, visit this page, and for more information on the I-40 reconstruction, click here. To learn about the U.S. 176 project, refer to the Tryon Daily Bulletin.
