ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Monday morning’s traffic headache in Asheville could be consequential for the contractor responsible for the delays.
A spokesperson for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) told 828newsNOW via email Monday afternoon that DBA Harrison Construction Company of Asheville “was unable to complete work on I-40 East between I-26 and Hendersonville Road over the weekend before the Monday morning deadline.”
The section of I-40 East was supposed to be closed from 8 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Monday to work on the eastbound bridges over Hominy Creek and Hominy Creek Road.
As 6 a.m. came and went Monday morning, the interstate continued to be closed, setting off a chain reaction of backups in the surrounding areas of West Asheville and beyond as morning commuters made their way to work. NCDOT Communications Officer David Uchiyama said the roadway reopened around 11 a.m.
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“NCDOT will assess fines to the contractor, Harrison Construction, for the traffic disruptions in West Asheville on Monday morning caused by the construction delays,” Uchiyama said. “The exact amount will be determined upon completion of the contract. The maximum allowable fine is $5,000 per 15 minutes beyond the allotted time.”
Uchiyama said the contract crews were able to perform hydro-demolition of old concrete, placed new concrete, paved bridge approaches and applied new lane markings on the bridge over the French Broad River.
“NCDOT engineers will discuss improvement action plans with the contractor prior to permitting additional weekend closures along this stretch,” he wrote in an email.
Click here to view NCDOT’s real-time traffic map.