ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Several road projects will make traveling around Asheville and neighboring areas a little tricky in the coming week.

I-40 bridge rehabilitation continues in Asheville

**UPDATE** NCDOT says this work detailed below has been postponed until Aug. 2-4.

Contract crews with NCDOT will close a stretch of Interstate 40 this weekend, weather permitting, to perform rehabilitation operations on a bridge between I-26 and Hendersonville Road.

Like the previous two weekends, crews from DBA Harrison Construction Company of Asheville plan to close I-40 East from the I-240 East/I-26 West interchange ­(Exit 46B) to Hendersonville Road (Exit 50) from 8 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Monday to work on the eastbound bridge over Hominy Creek and Hominy Creek Road.

The primary detour will utilize I-240 East. Digital signs across the area notify motorists to use I-240 East for I-40 East being closed ahead. The ramp from I-26 West to I-40 East will be closed with message boards alerting motorists to continue to I-240 East. The Brevard Road onramp to I-40 East will also be closed with traffic detoured to utilize the I-240 East detour route.

Planned operations this weekend include hydro-demolition of old concrete from the deck and adding a modified concrete that will provide a new riding surface.

The $27.9 million interstate rehabilitation project includes roadway resurfacing and bridge overlays. It will also address spalling concrete on bridge substructure components — including the piers — and improve the riding surface of the four I-40 bridges over Hominy Creek and two bridges over the French Broad River. The contract calls for completion in the spring of 2026.

Overnight I-26 closures

Contractors and N.C. Department of Transportation engineers have set a schedule for overnight closures on Interstate 26 this week.

Each night a section of the interstate is set to close no earlier than 8 p.m. and open again by 6 a.m. Marked detours will direct traffic and traffic lights will remain green longer than normal to accommodate additional overnight traffic.

The featured event includes shifting eastbound traffic onto new concrete Thursday night.

The following closures are scheduled:

Monday —
• Location: I-26 East from Brevard Road (Exit 33) to Airport Road (Exit 40) and the Airport Road onramp
• Detour: I-40 East to Hendersonville Road (Exit 50) south 12 miles to I-26 at Exit 44

Tuesday —
• Location: I-26 East from Brevard Road (Exit 33) to Long Shoals Road (Exit 37)
• Detour: Brevard Road (N.C. 191) south to Long Shoals Road, east to I-26

Wednesday —
• Location: I-26 East from Brevard Road (Exit 33) to U.S. 64 (Exit 49)
• Detour: I-40 East to Hendersonville Road (Exit 50) south through Hendersonville to U.S. 176 East to Upward Road to re-access at Exit 53

Thursday —
• Location: I-26 East from Brevard Road (Exit 33) to U.S. 25 (Exit 44)
• Detour: I-40 East to Hendersonville Road (Exit 50) south 12 miles to I-26 at Exit 44

On Thursday night, a contractor will switch I-26 East traffic closer to the French Broad River from the Long Shoals Road exit to Fanning Bridge Road in Henderson County. This significant shift will place traffic on new concrete and allow crews to begin finishing safety walls, median shoulders, and later, final pavement markings.

Weather will also determine an additional closure on I-26 West in Henderson County later this week. Dry conditions will be necessary to switch traffic into its final pattern from U.S. 64 to Clear Creek Road.

Haywood County closures

A North Carolina Department of Transportation contractor will begin a safety project on U.S. 23/74 between Hyatt Creek Road and the Haywood County rest area as soon as Monday.

CRW Land Services LLC, of Old Fort, is permitted to conduct daily lane closures of the inside lane in both directions between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

This access management safety project will establish a new left turn lane for westbound traffic. The project will also remove an existing U-turn lane and associated bulb-out for eastbound traffic, an NCDOT news release said. A new concrete median island will be installed to delineate the new turn lane and provide separation from opposing directions. It will be finished with long-life pavement markings and new signs.

The $216,000 project has been developed in association with NCDOT Traffic Safety staff to alleviate congestion while re-establishing the mobility and reliability of the corridor, the news release said. It is scheduled for completion in fall 2024.

Transportation officials remind drivers to remain alert, obey all posted signs and use caution in this — and all — work zones.

CLICK HERE for NCDOT’s real-time travel information.

I-40 closure in Burke County

A contractor for NCDOT will divert Interstate 40 traffic to an offramp and then to an adjacent onramp at the Malcolm Boulevard exit in Burke County four nights this week and four nights next week.

Weather permitting, the short stretch of I-40 West under the bridge will close no earlier than 8 p.m. and open by 6 a.m. for four nights starting Monday, July 22.

Then next Monday night, crews are scheduled to close the eastbound side and divert traffic to the ramps for four nights.

These operations are part of a $2.3 million project to rehabilitate the bridge. These overnight closures will allow crews to safely remove the superstructure. The entire project consists of replacing the superstructure and other key components, adding new guardrail and a new riding surface with fresh lane markings and reflectors.

Other Asheville closures

There is a two-lane closure on Patton Avenue between Grove and S. Ann streets.

Other Asheville road closures, according to the city’s website:

  • Vance Gap Road – Closed until Nov. 15
  • Norwood Avenue – Closed until Aug. 9
  • S Pack Square – Closed until July 28
  • Flint Street – Closed July 21
  • College Street – Closed until Aug. 30
  • Hiawassee Street – Closed until Aug. 9
  • N Market Street – Closed July 27
  • N Pack Square – Closed July 25-28
  • Court Plaza – Closed July 27
  • Wilmington Road – Closed until Aug. 12, 2024

Metropolitan Sewerage District road closures:

  • Old Fairview Road at Wilmington Road – Closed until Aug. 12
  • Norwood Avenue – Closed until Aug. 9

This story will be updated as more road information becomes available.