I-40 West section will be closed August 16-19: What to know about detours, timing

A 4-mile stretch of Interstate 40 West is set to close this weekend to allow contract crews to work on bridges between I-26 and Hendersonville Road, according to a news release from N.C. Department of Transportation.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.

Where will I-40 West be closed?

After weeks of work on the eastbound direction, I-40 West will be closed from Hendersonville Road at Exit 50 to I-26.

When will I-40 West be closed? When will I-40 West reopen?

The section of I-40 will be closed all weekend beginning 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16. The road will be reopened Monday, Aug. 19, at 6 a.m.

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What detours are there during the I-40 West closure?

The main detour for this closure will utilize I-240 West starting at Exit 53B, with digital signs in the area posted to notify motorists of the route, according to the news release. The Brevard Road on-ramp to I-40 West also will be closed, with traffic detoured to utilize the I-240 West detour route.

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Why is I-40 West closed?

The I-40 West weekend closure will allow crews from DBA Harrison Construction Co. of Asheville to work on the westbound bridges over Hominy Creek and the French Broad River. Planned operations this weekend includes milling and scarifying the bridge over Hominy Creek Road and adding boater protection on the bridge over French Broad River, NCDOT said in the news release.

The operation is part of a $27.9 million interstate rehabilitation project including roadway resurfacing and bridge overlays. The project will also address spalling concrete on bridge substructure components including the piers, and bring improvements to the riding surface of the four I-40 bridges over Hominy Creek and two bridges over the French Broad River. Crews aim to complete construction in the spring of 2026.

Going forward, the associated 2024 traffic plan includes phases of nighttime lane closures for asphalt resurfacing, installation of new guardrail, concrete drainage construction and pavement markers. Alternative options would have brought regular daytime closures, creating more traffic disruptions, and extended the total length of the contract.

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Iris Seaton, Carolinas Connect, contributed.

Todd Runkle is the Carolinas Connect editor and also a content coach for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at trunkle@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: I-40 West in Asheville to close over weekend: Detours, timing

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