Repairs on Helene-damaged section of I-40 will cost nearly $2 billion
By Shelly Garzon
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HAYWOOD COUNTY, North Carolina (WLOS) — The North Carolina Department of Transportation now expects repairs to the state’s section of I-40 through the Pigeon River Gorge to cost nearly $2 billion following damage from Helene.
“We’re seeing about a 900-million-dollar cost increase on I-40 due to Helene,” said Chris Lee, deputy division engineer for NCDOT Division 14.
Initial estimates placed the cost of repairs at $1.1 billion but new information led to an increase.
“The main factor behind that is we have new subsurface information so the early estimates we just did not have that information so we’ve spent some time out there, we’ve worked closely with our contractor to determine those costs overtime,” Lee said.
Despite the increased cost, NCDOT officials say the timeline for reopening the interstate will not change.
“We’re going to have to go deeper into the ground but we’re not changing the scope of the project. That will remain the same and it will not change the timeline either. The project will still be completed. All lanes will be open in late 2028,” Lee said.
With I-40 operating below full capacity, local economic leaders say the limited access continues to impact the regional economy.
“Certainly, our travel tourism sector hasn’t recovered to the level that it was pre-Helene. Some of that is because perceptions outside of our area that this area is closed to visitors or that this area is not ready for visitors,” said Nathan Ramsey with the Land of Sky Regional Council.
Ramsey said transportation challenges are also affecting businesses that rely on timely shipping and delivery.
“Companies that need to transport their products in various ways, the fact that that corridor is a little less accessible today than it was is certainly a drag on them. Many companies have just in time inventory where they are needing that inventory as timely as possible so that’s certainly an impact,” Ramsey said.
Officials with the NCDOT say current traffic patterns will remain in place throughout construction.
The N.C. Department of Transportation says all costs associated with repairing the highway will be reimbursed by the Federal Highway Administration.
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