A schedule for this week’s overnight road closures on I-26 has been issued by the N.C. Department of Transportation. Marked detours will direct traffic, and traffic lights will remain green longer to accommodate additional overnight traffic.
For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media. Here’s what we know about this week’s closures.
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Where will I-26 be closed?
As the closures change locations throughout the week, the following schedule was offered by the NCDOT.
Monday, Aug. 19: I-26 East from Brevard Road (Exit 33) to Upward Road (Exit 53)
Tuesday: Starting at 8 p.m. – I-26 East from U.S. 25 (Exit 44) to U.S. 64 (Exit 49), starting at 10:30 p.m. – I-26 West from Airport Road (Exit 40) to Brevard Road (Exit 33)
Wednesday: I-26 West from U.S. 64 (Exit 49) to U.S. 25 (Exit 44), Airport Road onramp to I-26 East and exit ramp from I-26 east
Thursday: I-26 West from from U.S. 64 (Exit 49) to U.S. 25 (Exit 44), I-26 East exit ramp at Airport Road
Friday: I-26 West from U.S. 64 (Exit 49) to U.S. 25 (Exit 44)
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When will I-26 be closed? When will I-26 reopen?
Sections of the interstate will close no earlier than 8 p.m. and open again by 6 a.m. One Tuesday night closure, a section of I-26 West from Airport Road (Exit 40) to Brevard Road (Exit 33) will close at 10:30 p.m.
The last announced closure should be reopened by 6 a.m. Saturday morning.
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What detours are there during the I-26 closures?
Corresponding detours for each of the closures listed included:
Monday: I-40 East to Hendersonville Road (Exit 50) south through Hendersonville to U.S. 176 to Upward Road and rejoin at I-26 at Exit 53
Tuesday: 8 p.m. closure – U.S 25 south through Hendersonville to U.S. 176 to Upward Road and to I-26 at Exit 49. 10:30 p.m. closure – Airport Road to Hendersonville Road, north to I-40 West
Wednesday: I-26 West closure – U.S. 64 West to U.S. 25 North to I-26. Airport Road closure – I-26 to Exit 44, cross over interstate, join I-26 West and return to Exit 40
Thursday: I-26 West closure – U.S. 64 West to U.S. 25 North to I-26. I-26 East closure – Take U.S. 25 (Exit 44) to Airport Road
Friday: U.S. 64 West to U.S. 25 North to I-26
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Why is I-26 closed?
This week’s operations are part of I-26 widening projects taking place in Buncombe and Henderson County. During the closures, crews will conduct a variety of operations including diamond-grinding, shoulder improvements, sign installation, paving and Blue Ridge Parkway bridge concrete work.
Construction originally began in the fall of 2019, when sections of I-26 were experiencing heavy congestion and unpredictable traffic slow-downs that the NCDOT said made daily commutes frustrating for many motorists. The overall aim of the construction is to improve high-speed regional travel in the area.
Additionally, the project will improve permanent structures including bridges and drainage as well as pavement structure and deteriorating existing road surfaces. The roadway surface in the area has already undergone major rehabilitation twice, most recently in 2011.
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Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: I-26 closures all week as of Aug. 19: timing, detours, more
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