News

More lanes to open as I-26 widening nears completion

By Lightning Reports, Published: April 14, 2025

Another stretch of Interstate 26 is opening to traffic on Tuesday.

Contractors for the N.C. Department of Transportation will open new lanes east of Long Shoals Road on Tuesday morning following an overnight closure to remove traffic control devices.

Crews from Fluor-United Joint Venture will open the stretch from Long Shoals Road to Glenn Bridge Road to three lanes, and from the bridge over Glenn Bridge Road to four lanes where it will connect with the recently opening four-lane section east of Airport Road.

The Monday night closure will run from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. All I-240 West and I-26 East drivers will be detoured to I-40 East then down Hendersonville Road (U.S. 25) to the I-26 interchange at Exit 44.

“This has been a long time coming and we’re certainly happy to open this stretch of interstate for local drivers and those passing through,” Resident Engineer Luke Middleton said. “We certainly hope drivers remain safe while driving this stretch and obey the posted signs and speed limits.”

The area is open, but crews still have a list of final tasks that to be completed including the installation of snow-plowable reflectors, fresh lane markings, and roadside signs. Some of these tasks will be completed during overnight closures.

Opening this stretch allows crews to concentrate on the northern half of I-26 widening in Buncombe County — the stretch from Long Shoals Road to Brevard Road. The northern stretch includes the creation of a new interchange, which was added to plans after the project started, that creates a new exit providing drivers with another route to Brevard Road by the North Carolina Arboretum.

Other operations in the northern portion of the project will include completion of new westbound lanes, completion of the new Blue Ridge Parkway bridge and removal of the old bridge. NCDOT officials anticipate completing final operations in late 2026.

“Drivers should certainly notice a big difference with the new lanes,” Middleton said. “And they should also see that we’re continuing to work and build a newer and better interstate.”