ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Drivers in the Asheville area should plan for multiple road closures and delays this week because of weather and construction projects.

Blue Ridge Parkway and Mount Mitchell

Mount Mitchell State Park and sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway remain closed because of snow and ice. Areas affected include the park and the stretch from NC Highway 128 to just south of the Craggy Gardens Tunnel, including the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center. Visitors are urged to check the National Park Service website for the latest updates.

I-40 lane closure in Haywood County

One lane of eastbound Interstate 40 will close next week from 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday afternoon between mile marker 29 and Champion Drive (Exit 31).

The closure will allow crews to shift traffic to a temporary bridge over Incinerator Road and pave shoulders near Thickety Road for planned bridge replacement projects. Drivers should expect delays during peak traffic and may use U.S. 19/23 through Canton as an alternate route.

The bridge projects replace structures that have reached the end of their service life. The new bridges are being built to modern standards and are expected to last at least 50 years.

I-26 nighttime closures in Asheville

The Asheville Fire Department reports nightly closures on I-26 eastbound and westbound from mile markers 31 to 37. Closures are scheduled from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, though start times may shift depending on traffic volumes.

Detours for I-26 closures:

  • Eastbound (Exit 33-37): Exit 33 (Brevard Road) east to N.C. 191 South, then N.C. 146 (Long Shoals Road) east to rejoin I-26 at Exit 40.
  • Westbound (Exit 37-31): Exit 37 onto N.C. 146 (Long Shoals Road) east to U.S. 25 North (Hendersonville Road) to I-40.