ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — If you’ve driven Interstate 240, I-26 or Future 26 recently, you know there are some challenges. Recent problems prompted one person to jokingly say, “It’s pothole season in Asheville.”

But, if you’ve hit some of those holes, you know it’s no laughing matter.

Several people took to social media this week to complain about a particularly bad hole on Future 26 between Asheville and Weaverville.

“My husband was coming home from Asheville and hit it. Popped the tire. 4 other vehicles were pulled over with flats as well. Watch out!” one person posted Tuesday on Facebook.

Another person responded to the post saying, “My tire was destroyed by one heading southbound RIGHT before exit 24 headed into Asheville (two other people pulled in behind me with flats too!) from the same one.”

A truck driver said his vehicle will require thousands of dollars in repairs after hitting a pothole on the bridges on I-240, especially between Haywood Road and Long Shoals.

If your vehicle suffered damage because of a pothole or mailbox knocked down as a result of a snow plow,  click here to file a claim to request reimbursement.

To submit a claim through mail, download and complete a Citizen Incident Statement and mail it to the N.C. Department of Transportation in the county where the damage occurred.

If a vehicle was damaged because of a pothole, NCDOT generally submits the driver’s claim, as well as its own report, to the N.C. State Attorney General’s Office, which will determine whether NCDOT knew about the pothole and made an effort to repair it within a reasonable length of time.

If the Attorney General’s Office denies the claim, drivers can appeal to the N.C. Industrial Commission. For more information, conta​ct the Attorney General’s Office.

If a vehicle was damaged in a work zone for a contracted project, NCDOT will forward the driver’s claim to the contractor, who is responsible for the road conditions in the construction area.

Nightly ramp closure planned for I-40 West in Haywood County

A contractor for the NCDOT is starting construction activities that will require nightly closures of an exit ramp off Interstate 40 in Canton.

Wright Brothers Construction earned the $28.3 million contract to replace the I-40 bridge over Champion Drive and have been working in the area since late last fall.

Until March 5, crews may close the I-40 West exit ramp (Exit 31) on Monday through Thursday nights from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. and weekend nights from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. From Feb. 24-26, operations will also include a nightly lane closure on I-40 West between Incinerator Road and Champion Drive from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

A marked detour will direct drivers to U.S. 23/74 then U.S. 19/23 into Canton and then Champion Drive.

Construction starts on U.S. 276 improvements in Haywood County

A contractor for the NCDOT has started pre-construction activities along U.S. 276 in Haywood County in advance of a significant modernization project.

Crews from WNC Paving will conduct a variety of operations to modernize, enhance safety and improve connectivity along U.S. 276 from its intersection with U.S. 19 to just south of Interstate 40.

WNC Paving earned the $38.5 million contract that calls for significant completion by Nov. 11, 2028. This modernization will improve safety by converting several median openings to reduced conflict intersections which reduce speeds and conflict points.

Modernization and safety improvements include the following:

  • Paved shoulders on U.S. 276
  • Extension of turn lanes to allow for more capacity
  • Improved median openings along U.S. 276
  • U-turn bulb outs at strategic locations
  • Conversion of the U.S. 279/U.S. 19 interchange into a two-lane roundabout

The first major phase of the project — slated to start in March — includes constructing a portion of the roundabout and installing new pipes, boxes and other drainage features.

Drivers in the area should anticipate minimal delays in the coming weeks but there will be occasional lane closures during daytime hours. The contract specifies that construction activities will not impede school drop-off and pick-up hours.