ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Interstate 40 has reopened to traffic near the Tennessee-North Carolina line after a week of cleanup and emergency repairs following flooding and multiple landslides.
Crews cleared debris from four separate areas and repaired the on- and off-ramps at the Waterville exit, the Tennessee Department of Transportation said in a social media post. The work, originally projected to take two weeks, was completed in about half that time.
The highway reopened Friday with one lane in each direction, with a reduced speed limit, the TDOT said. Oversized loads are currently prohibited. Transportation officials said the lane restrictions are tied to long-term repairs from Tropical Storm Helene, which struck the region in September 2024, and are not related to the recent rockslide.
Repair crews will remain active in the area, and drivers are urged to slow down and use caution in work zones for their safety and the safety of highway workers.
Madison County Emergency Management officials warned that some traffic congestion is expected to persist, especially around the Fourth of July holiday. In response, the county requested that the North Carolina Department of Transportation leave in place existing signs and message boards to help manage the flow of vehicles. The request was quickly approved.
“Madison County residents, please continue to exercise patience and remain vigilant on the roadways,” emergency officials said in a statement. “Plan for extended travel times to continue, at least for the next few weeks.”