ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — State and federal environmental permits have been approved for a critical phase of reconstruction on Interstate 40 in the Pigeon River Gorge, the North Carolina Department of Transportation announced Friday.
The permits clear the way for crews to build a temporary river bridge and haul road, allowing the extraction of rock from a designated site within Pisgah National Forest. The construction marks a major step in ongoing recovery efforts following widespread damage from Tropical Storm Helene.
NCDOT’s Division 14 received the permits after what officials described as a highly coordinated effort involving multiple state and federal agencies and stakeholders.
In June, NCDOT and its partners identified two sites in the Pigeon River Gorge to support the reconstruction. The plan includes a 33-acre rock extraction site and an adjacent 11.5-acre site for storing overburden material, which will eventually be used to restore the quarry area.
Both sites are in Pisgah National Forest near the eastern edge of the Helene-damaged zone. Environmental safeguards will remain in place throughout the project to protect the surrounding ecosystem.