I-26 in Tennessee reopens to all traffic except oversized loads after devastating hurricane damage

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) reopened I-26 on Wednesday after several weeks of closure to due to Hurricane Helene.

On October 30, 2024, TDOT announced that I-26 in Unicoi County is reopened to all traffic except for oversized loads after more than a month of closure from hurricane damage.

“This is a huge development, especially considering the closure of I-40 for commercial traffic. We continue to be proud of the crews working to make this possible, even as we know the work isn’t over until every road is repaired,” TDOT said.

From TDOT:

From mile marker 39 to mile marker 40, traffic will shift entirely to the westbound lanes, with one lane traveling each way. The westbound bridge has been given a temporary fix, allowing vehicles to safely cross the Nolichucky River. Work continues on a permanent repair on the eastbound side. Once the eastbound bridge repair is complete, traffic will be shifted to the eastbound lanes so the permanent repair can be done on the westbound bridge. Because the bridge is being shared by both directions of traffic, oversized loads CANNOT make it through.

See TDOT’s video on the I-26 reopening below.

I-40 at the Tennessee/North Carolina border remains closed for hurricane damage.