The closure affected a stretch of highway in Cocke County, Tennessee, where the conditions were no longer safe for travel. Several inches of rain led to debris and rising water, prompting emergency closures.

In an update posted to its Facebook page, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) said, “All traffic stuck on I-40 had been removed and crews were in the process of cleaning up and evaluating.” TDOT also warned that more rain is expected, which could slow those efforts.

As of the morning of Thursday, June 19, no estimated reopening time had been announced.

Drivers planning to head east toward North Carolina are being advised to take I-81 North to I-26 East, or I-81 North to I-77 South through Virginia as detours.

This week’s weather-related closure follows a history of weather impacts in the region. Back in September 2024, Hurricane Helene shut down hundreds of roads across Tennessee and North Carolina, including I-40. That stretch of I-40 remained closed for months and didn’t partially reopen until March.

Additional I-40 Lane Closures Scheduled in Davidson County

Separately, TDOT announced that construction on I-40 near Nashville International Airport is set to begin on Friday, June 20. The work will involve temporary lane and ramp closures, starting with alternating triple-lane closures westbound, followed by eastbound lane closures.

The work is expected to be completed by Sunday, June 22, and heavy traffic is expected during this time. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead and allow extra time.

TDOT also reminded motorists about Tennessee’s Move Over Law, in effect since 2006. Violations can result in a fine of up to $500 and/or 30 days in jail.

For ongoing updates, drivers can check the TDOT SmartWay website for traffic conditions and alerts.

Image Source: USA Today
Source: Land Line

The post I-40 Shut Down Near Tennessee–North Carolina Line Due to Flooding and Rockslides appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The NCDOT has also issued a “Do Not Travel” advisory for this region. “All roads in Western North Carolina should be considered closed and non-emergency travel is prohibited,” stated NCDOT.

When asked about the impact of this advisory on essential freight deliveries, a representative from the NCDOT’s communications office explained, “We do not yet have an established detour for I-40,” while reiterating, “All roads in Western North Carolina are considered closed. You should delay your travels in that region.”

For those planning trips or checking on road statuses, the representative advised visiting DriveNC.gov, highlighting that users can “select a county or highway route to see a list of state-maintained roads that are closed due to Helene.” The site allows toggling to show only closures related to Helene. They also noted, “damage is so widespread in Western North Carolina, and there are power outages and cell phone service issues, that not all closed roads” have been updated on DriveNC.gov as of Monday, September 30.

Floodwaters from Hurricane Helene have washed out the eastbound lanes of I-40, leading to a closure of 43 miles in both directions between Exit 432 (US 25W/US 70/US 411) in Tennessee and Exit 20 (US 276) in North Carolina.

In addition to I-40, Interstate 26 is closed in Tennessee from mile marker 39 to the North Carolina state line.

Numerous U.S., state, and local roads are also closed in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee. Stay updated by checking both DriveNC and TDOT SmartWay for the latest traffic information in these states.

Source: Commercial Carrier Journal

The post Navigating the Challenges: Dealing with I-40 Closure and Travel Advisories in Western North Carolina appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.