Six months after Hurricane Helene, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has made significant progress in rebuilding western North Carolina.
So far, 90% of damaged roads have reopened, and over 270 bridges and 870 culverts have been repaired. A key milestone was reopening Interstate 40, restoring vital access between North Carolina and Tennessee.
Crews worked through harsh winter conditions, upgrading many temporary roads and bridges to permanent solutions. In Yancey County and Chimney Rock, gravel paths have been paved, and temporary bridges are being replaced with permanent designs set to begin soon
Ongoing public meetings are gathering feedback as NCDOT continues its recovery efforts. While challenges remain, the progress made in six months is a significant step forward. For updates, visit DriveNC.gov.