I-26 in Unicoi County opened up to traffic on Wednesday after being closed for 33 days since being devastated by flood waters caused by remnants of Hurricane Helene last month, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced.
A portion of I-26 was destroyed in both directions when the Nolichucky River rose to historic levels as a result of the hurricane, including two bridges that carried the highway over the river.
More than a month later, traffic has been temporarily restored to I-26 via one lane in each direction across the river between MM 39 and MM 40 for all travelers except drivers hauling oversized loads over 12 feet.
From MM 39 to MM 40, traffic has shifted entirely to the westbound lanes, with one lane traveling each way.
TDOT completed temporary repairs to the westbound bridge in order to allow vehicles to safely cross the Nolichucky River while permanent repairs continue on the eastbound side.
Once the eastbound bridge repair is complete, traffic will be shifted to the eastbound lanes in order for a permanent repair can be completed on the westbound bridge
Drivers hauling oversized loads should continue to use I-81 and I-77 as a detour route.
“We are here today, 33 days after the hurricane, we are back here today in Erwin on I-26 to open up our interstate to one-way traffic in each direction so that we can have flow-through into this area,” TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley said on Wednesday marking the reopening of the interstate.
“This is about community, this is about connectivity, this is about making sure that our people in this community and those around are able to access the basic needs that they’re trying to get to. We’re proud today to make this opening,” Eley added.
Tennessee U.S. Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-TN-01) was among the leaders who marked the reopening of I-26 on Wednesday, calling the work by TDOT a “critical” part of “restoring connection to our region.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
