ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Drivers on Interstate 26 near Asheville should prepare for overnight detours beginning Sunday as crews remove the old Blue Ridge Parkway bridge that crosses the highway.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation said both directions of I-26 will be closed nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. while contractors take down portions of the bridge located directly above traffic lanes.
Westbound traffic will be detoured from Airport Road (Exit 40) north along Hendersonville Road (U.S. 25) to I-40, and if needed, to N.C. 191 and I-240 East. On Thursday night, westbound drivers will instead exit at U.S. 25 (Exit 44). Eastbound traffic will be routed from Brevard Road (Exit 33) west on Long Shoals Road (N.C. 146) before returning to I-26 East.
NCDOT said signals along the detour routes will be adjusted to allow longer green lights and help ease congestion.
The closures are expected to continue through Thursday night, with a second week of work possible starting Oct. 26. The agency said the number of nights required will depend on how quickly crews can complete each phase of bridge removal.
The new Blue Ridge Parkway bridge will remain open, though travelers may experience minor delays from nearby construction and seasonal traffic.
