HENDERSONVILLE – Drivers heading from Asheville to Hendersonville will notice a change in the traffic alignment starting Thursday morning.
N.C. Department of Transportation officials will close a section of Interstate 26 East tonight, no earlier than 9 p.m., between Airport Road (Exit 40) and U.S. 25 Business (Exit 44) to install the lane shift.
Eastbound traffic will be diverted to Airport Road then Hendersonville Road to access I-26. The Integrated Corridor Management system will be implemented to provide longer green lights on the detour to accommodate additional traffic from the interstate. The lanes will open by 6 a.m., and westbound traffic will likely have a standard lane closure in Buncombe County.
Tonight, a contractor for NCDOT will establish the lane shift which will start just east of the rest area. Both eastbound lanes will curve slightly to a new bridge over Cane Creek and curve back into the original alignment.
Drivers will notice signs and digital message boards prior to the lane shift and should heed warnings to slow down and obey all posted signs.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media