ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Two overnight crashes closed major stretches of interstate around Asheville early Tuesday, creating significant delays for westbound drivers, according to state transportation officials.
A crash on I-40 near the Tennessee state line shut down the road about 3 miles past Exit 7 at Cold Springs Creek Road in Haywood County. The closure, near mile marker 4, began around 2:29 a.m. and is expected to last until about 1 p.m.
Traffic impact is considered high, and motorists are being detoured onto I-40 East to Exit 46, then to I-26 West and NC 81 South.
About 30 minutes earlier, a separate crash forced the closure of I-26 West at Exit 37 (NC 146/Long Shoals Road) in Buncombe County. That incident, near mile marker 37, began around 2:02 a.m. That section of road has since reopened.
No details about injuries were immediately released. State officials are urging drivers to use caution, follow posted detours and expect delays through the early morning hours.
A crash on I-26 near Woodfin has closed the eastbound right shoulder 1 mile east of Exit 19. It is expected to reopen about 8 a.m.
The eastbound right shoulder of I-40 is closed 3 miles after Exit 37. It is expected to reopen about 8 a.m.
U.S. 441 (Newsfound Gap Road) is closed in both directions from Cherokee to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It is expected to reopen about 9 a.m.