U.S. 70 bridge in North Carolina reopens three months after devastating Hurricane Helene

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) announced the reopening of a busy bridge that was shut down for months due to damage from Hurricane Helene.

On the evening of Tuesday, December 17, NCDOT reopened the U.S. 70 bridge connecting Asheville and Swannanoa after a three month closure caused when the hurricane damaged the structure and washed away the eastern approach.

“Prior to the hurricane, officials say that “An average of 16,000 vehicles per day crossed the bridge prior to the hurricane. Its closure increased congestion on I-40 and I-240 east of Asheville. NCDOT officials anticipate the opening to relieve some of this congestion as drivers return to the bridge,” the agency said in a news release.

“From the ground up, we identified that we had to rehab the substructure, then come behind and build a reinforced retaining wall to establish the roadway again,” said Tom Veazey, a Division 13 resident engineer. “We’re finishing the paving today for the traveling public.” 

NCDOT reminds drivers that many roadways remain closed, including stretches of N.C. 81 and N.C. 197, plus stretches of roads on the state secondary system.

Check out the video below for more on the bridge reopening.