News

Overnight closures will return to Interstate 26 in Buncombe County next week as crews continue removing the old Blue Ridge Parkway bridge over the interstate, the NCDOT announced.

Both directions of traffic will be closed from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m., Sunday night through Thursday night, between Brevard Road (Exit 33) and Long Shoals Road (Exit 37). 

Marked detours, with longer green lights on the routes, will guide traffic. Westbound traffic will be guided on Long Shoals Road to Hendersonville Road to I-40 West then N.C. 191 North to I-26 West/I-240 East. Eastbound traffic will be detoured south on Brevard Road (N.C. 191) to Long Shoals Road (N.C. 146). 

Crews will use the overnight closures to remove girders from the old bridge. Previous overnight closures allowed crews to safely remove the old bridge deck. A series of complete closures in the coming weeks will allow crews to safely remove the existing piers. Removal of the old Blue Ridge Parkway bridge will allow the contractor to advance to the next stage of I-26 construction in this area.