Efforts to restore North Carolina’s road connectivity after damage caused by Hurricane Helene progressed recently, with the reopening of the U.S. Highway 70 bridge. This development is expected to ease traffic burdens that have plagued the area since the bridge’s closure.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) reported that prior to the hurricane, the U.S. Highway 70 bridge accommodated an average of 16,000 vehicles daily. Its closure had diverted traffic to alternative routes, intensifying congestion on nearby Interstate 40 and Interstate 240 in the Asheville area.
Tom Veazey, Division 13 resident engineer, explained the process of repairing the bridge in an official statement. “From the ground up, we identified that we had to rehab the substructure, then come behind and build a reinforced retaining wall to establish the roadway again,” he said.
Hurricane Helene’s Impact and Repairs
Hurricane Helene left substantial damage to the bridge, affecting its core structural components and the eastern roadway approach. Repairs to this critical passage cost approximately $900,000, according to NCDOT.
The reopening of the U.S. Highway 70 bridge is a significant milestone in restoring transportation infrastructure in Buncombe County. While all U.S. highways in the county are now operational, sections of several state highways, including Highway 81 and Highway 197, remain closed.
Road Recovery Progress
NCDOT has reopened 1,230 roads in western North Carolina as of Dec. 17, with 123 reopened in just the past week. Fewer than 200 roads are still out of service. Despite this progress, restrictions remain for trucks over 30 feet in length, which are prohibited from using 55 specific routes across the state.
A complete and up-to-date list of reopened roads can be accessed on the North Carolina DOT website.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Emergency Declaration
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration issued a regional emergency declaration back in October to enable the rapid recovery of damaged infrastructure. This declaration, which provides regulatory relief for motor carriers and drivers aiding recovery efforts, has been extended for North Carolina and Tennessee through Dec. 26.
The exemption covers carriers delivering critical supplies or operating utility service vehicles. Notably, drivers are eligible for this relief regardless of their trip’s origin, as long as they are contributing directly to restoration efforts.
Source: Land Line
