Project Update
NCDOT crews and its contractors are currently concentrating on immediate recovery and repair. It’s critical that NCDOT provide access to all residents, make temporary repairs to provide at least emergency access before beginning long-term permanent replacements.
The design firms continue developing the plans for Asheville I-26 Connector. The long-term impact of Helene on the Asheville I-26 Connector is yet to be determined. It’s doubtful to have a significant impact on the completion date.
NCDOT's
I-26 Widening contractors, including Fluor-United, have been part of the emergency response. Contractors will likely transition back to interstate construction in the next few weeks.
Project Overview
Planning and development of the proposed I-26 Connector would be a median-divided freeway, accessible only by interchanges, that would connect I-26 in southwest Asheville to U.S. 19/23/70 in northwest Asheville.
Approximately 7-miles, the project involves five sections:
- Upgrade I-240 (as well as interchanges at Brevard, Amboy roads) from the I-26/I-240 interchange with I-40 to Haywood Road (Section AC).
- Includes initial improvements at I-26/I-40/I-240 interchange and along I-40 between I-26/I-40/I-240 interchange and U.S. 19/23 (Smokey Park Highway) (Section AA/AB).
- Builds interstate on a new location from the Haywood Road interchange north across the French Broad River, tying into U.S. 19/23/70 north of Broadway (Section B).
- Improvements to the I-40 interchanges with Smokey Park Highway, I-26/I-240 and Brevard Road (Section C).
- Improvements along Riverside Drive from Hill Street to Broadway Street (Section D).
The N.C. Department of Transportation will use concrete median barriers for the widening on I-26/I-240, instead of a grassed median to reduce necessary right-of-way.
Once complete, the freeway would be part of I-26, which extends from Kingsport, Tenn., to Charleston, S.C.
Section C will be reprioritized for funding in the next State Transportation Improvement Program. A schedule for right of way, utilities and/or construction has not been finalized at this time. However, preliminary engineering activities (design, planning, environmental studies) needed for project development are underway.
Upcoming Public Meetings
There are no upcoming public meetings for this project.
Project Funding
This project is listed as Project I-2513 in the N.C. Department of Transportation's State Transportation Improvement Program and is funded for approximately $1.2 billion.
Project Timeline
*Future dates subject to change
**Design build contract is awarded, and final design begins.