News

WRECKED ROADS: 5,400 sites, 450 bridges damaged or destroyed

Aerial photo shows a road washed away in Polk County. [NCDOT]

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 12, 2024

NCDOT workers have identified more than 5,400 damaged sites and more than 450 damaged bridges as crews chip away at the massive job of getting Western North Carolina traffic moving after Hurricane Helene.

More than 2,000 NCDOT personnel and contractors from across the state are working in Western North Carolina to reopen roads, clear debris and make repairs to damaged infrastructure.

\NCDOT’s Aviation division is using drone technology and the agency’s photogrammetry unit are using aircraft to assist with the inspection of damaged roads, bridges and culverts. Drone pilots have completed about 200 UAS missions to inspect infrastructure and provide high-quality imagery for analysis by engineers. The drone imagery is being used to help engineers make informed decisions on repairs needed to damaged infrastructure across the region. 

In his most recent post-Helene update, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards said NCDOT had  reopened more than 540 roads so far while roughly 630 roads remain closed, about 100 of those along primary routes.This number is still rapidly changing as communications improve and NCDOT reaches new sites.

USDOT has authorized an initial $100 million in Emergency Repair funds to NCDOT.
"Damage to our mountain roads exceeds $100 million but USDOT’s investment is a significant and most welcome start," Edwards said. "NCDOT has stated they will be utilizing the $100 million to supplement ongoing efforts in Western North Carolina. This is what I would have hoped the funds are going to be used for, but their public statement is a welcome confirmation of their commitment to restore transportation networks in our mountains."
NCDOT awarded a $10 million contract to Wright Brothers Construction of Charleston, Tennessee, to stabilize the westbound lanes of I-40 by drilling soil nails where the storm washed away eastbound lanes. The contract includes incentives to be complete by Jan. 4, 2025. Around the time this operation concludes, plans for a larger, complex, and complete repair will be in progress.