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UPDATE: I-26 has reopened

A tractor-trailer fire shut down westbound I-26 on Tuesday. [FACEBOOK PHOTO BY FRED NACE]

By Bill Moss, Published: April 30, 2024

The right lane of I-26 West has reopened at exit 49B following the Tuesday morning tractor-trailer fire. Traffic in the area has returned to normal, driveNC.gov reported.

 EARLIER COVERAGE:

The city issued an alert at 10 a.m. directing motorists to detour around Exit 49 due to the crash. The NCDOT said I-26 is not expected to reopen until 3 p.m. Motorists are advised to use the following detour:

  • West: Exit 49B (US 64 West), right on King St (US 25 BUS North) to I-26 West.
  • East: Exit 44 (US 25 BUS South) to US 176 East to US 25 North to Exit 8 (I-26 East)


"We are seeing large amounts of heavy traffic in Hendersonville and surrounding thoroughfares," the city said. "Please use caution when traveling through the area. Plan to leave early and give yourself plenty of time for travel due to the large volume of traffic being diverted through Hendersonville."

Motorists posted photos of the fire on Facebook early in the day and warned of slow-moving traffic on alternate routes.

"I believe they're in the process of getting the truck removed right now," Henderson County Emergency Management Director Jimmy Brissie said shortly after 9 a.m. "DOT will have to do some inspection of the roadway to make sure it's safe. It'll be a couple more hours before the interstate is reopened. It's my understanding there were no injuries" and the cargo was "nothing hazardous."

"Driver is out, no injuries, no hazmat materials on board," Sarah Smith wrote on Facebook around 8 a.m. "26wb is shut down traffic is being diverted to exit 49B. Howard Gap is also backed up so expect delays."
Tracy Grove Road was backed up to Duncan Road as motorists took a detour.
"We've had numerous calls this morning about it being completely backed up everywhere," WTZQ Breakfast Club host Mark Warwick said.