Temporary fix for I-40 at NC/TN border will begin mid-October

A temporary fix for Interstate 40 after damage due to Hurricane Helene will begin in mid-October according to a statement by the Tennessee Governor. 

Almost three miles of eastbound I-40 were destroyed by the massive storm at the end of September at the Tennessee, North Carolina state line, causing travel disruptions along a crucial stretch of highway. 

“This particular stretch of highway is incredibly important not only for Tennessee for the people that come – that drive in and out of Tennessee – but it’s important for North Carolina because the repairs that have to be made on the North Carolina side of I-40 will have to be delivered through Tennessee,” Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said. 

Work on a temporary fix for the important route will begin no later than October 18th, but a full repair of the road isn’t expected to be completed until 2025, although an official estimate is yet to be released, reported WRAL.

“Already under contract, already underway as you can see work being done to turn this interstate at least into a two-way traffic road temporarily until permanent fixes are made, but a lot of work being done, very hopeful, very collaborative, and we won’t stop until we get it done,” Lee said. “It is tragic that we’ve lost as much life as we have here, but it is a blessing that there was no one lost on this highway stretch.”