Truckers Face Challenges with I-40 Closure, Finding Mountain Roads Difficult

Truckers face challenges with the I-40 closure caused by Hurricane Helene, as many struggle with unsuitable mountain detours. Officials urge drivers to follow approved routes to avoid delays and hazards.

Hurricane Helene’s Impact Disrupts Travel Between North Carolina and Tennessee

Efforts are ongoing to repair Interstate 40 through the Pigeon River Gorge after damage caused by Hurricane Helene. Crews are making steady progress (NCDOT via X).

The closure of I-40, a major route linking North Carolina and Tennessee, has presented significant hurdles for truck drivers. Many tractor-trailers are inadvertently diverting to narrow, two-lane mountain roads, leading to delays and occasional gridlocks. Officials from both states are emphasizing the importance of sticking to approved truck routes and avoiding reliance on GPS systems designed for passenger vehicles.

“Some trucks are following GPS routes that are programmed for passenger vehicles,” shared North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) spokesperson David Uchiyama. “Those are routes that accommodate passenger vehicles. But they’re steep, winding, curvy roads, not built for trucks.”

A Critical Interstate Severed

Since September 27, when floodwaters from Hurricane Helene washed out more than a mile of the eastbound lanes near the North Carolina/Tennessee state line, I-40 has remained closed. This critical artery, which previously carried over 25,000 vehicles daily—many of them commercial trucks—has been effectively severed.

Addressing the closure, both state governments launched awareness campaigns, utilizing social media, electronic road signs, cellphone alerts, and truck cab notifications. NCDOT’s DriveNC website now displays a “truck closure” marker to identify areas where vehicles over 30 feet are prohibited due to frequent incidents of trucks getting stuck—approximately two dozen so far.

Challenges Persist

Despite these efforts, some drivers continue to face challenges. Tennessee Highway Patrol’s Lieutenant Bill Miller highlighted the issue, noting that truckers frequently drive east on I-40 until they encounter road closure barricades, forcing them to backtrack.

“Many truck drivers are ignoring the signs posted on I-40 East daily for one reason or another,” Miller explained via email. “They then get turned around and continue to rely on their GPS, and they are routed to secondary roads in Cocke County, such as Big Creek Road and Hartford Road. These roads are small and are not wide enough to accept commercial traffic.”

This isn’t a new challenge. Similar issues arise during snowstorms or accidents in the Pigeon River Gorge, which often prompt truckers to search for alternative, but ill-suited, routes. One particularly troublesome route, N.C. 209, even earned the nickname “The Rattler” due to its winding path through Pisgah National Forest. The increase in incidents since Hurricane Helene has prompted NCDOT to erect additional warning signs.

Stepped-Up Enforcement

The mountain roads themselves haven’t become less truck-friendly; it’s simply that the closure has increased the volume of drivers seeking alternative routes that have always been closed to large commercial vehicles. To address the issue, state troopers in both North Carolina and Tennessee have increased enforcement efforts. Last week alone, the North Carolina Highway Patrol issued over 100 citations to truckers using non-truck-approved routes—a statistic NCDOT shared in a Facebook post aimed at the trucking community.

“We don’t want to issue citations,” explained 1st Sgt. Chris Knox of the State Highway Patrol. “But we don’t want to see them stuck or turned around or overturned. That further complicates people navigating those roads who should be on those roads.”

Fewer Wrong Turns on Mountain Roads

While the problem hasn’t disappeared, officials report progress. The partial reopening of Interstate 26 in Erwin, Tenn., on October 30 has provided a temporary alternative, albeit with some restrictions, such as one-lane traffic in each direction while bridges over the Nolichucky River undergo reconstruction.

NCDOT expects to reopen a section of I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge by early next year. Plans involve converting the westbound lanes into a two-way roadway, separated by a concrete barrier and with a reduced speed limit of 40 mph.

“All drivers need to keep in mind it will be slow going,” Uchiyama said.