ASHEVILLE – A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation will install a familiar detour on Interstate 40 East in Asheville this weekend, weather permitting.
Crews from DBA Harrison Construction Company of Asheville plan to close I-40 East from the I-240 East/I-26 West interchange (Exit 46B) to Hendersonville Road (Exit 50) from 8 p.m. Friday through 6 a.m. Monday to work on the eastbound bridge over Hominy Creek and Hominy Creek Road. Like closures earlier this summer, this will allow contract crews to perform rehabilitation tasks on a bridge between I-26 and Hendersonville Road (Exit 50).
Operations this weekend include the removal of existing bridge deck joint material and adjacent concrete to facilitate the installation of new bridge joints to increase the life of the structure by reducing water penetration and preventing corrosion.
The primary detour will utilize I-240 East. Digital signs across the area notify motorists to use I-240 East for I-40 East being closed ahead. The ramp from I-26 West to I-40 East will be closed with message boards alerting motorists to continue to I-240 East. The Brevard Road onramp to I-40 East will also be closed with traffic detoured to utilize the I-240 East detour route.
The $27.9 million interstate rehabilitation project includes roadway resurfacing and bridge overlays. It will also address spalling concrete on bridge substructure components — including the piers — and improve the riding surface of the four I-40 bridges over Hominy Creek and two bridges over the French Broad River. The contract calls for completion in the spring of 2026.
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