The North Carolina Department of Transportation has issued the information below concerning a complete closure of a portion of I-40 and detour information:

BOTH DIRECTIONS OF I-40 CLOSED IN NORTH CAROLINA NEAR

TENNESSEE BORDER; HOLIDAY TRAVELERS SHOULD ALLOW

EXTRA TIME ON ALTERNATE ROUTES

           The N.C. Department of Transportation reminds motorists traveling through Western North Carolina to plan ahead and allow extra travel time over the Thanksgiving holiday due to the closure of Interstate 40 west of Asheville near Tennessee. 

A massive rockslide closed the interstate in both directions between Exit 20 (U.S. 276) 24 miles west of Asheville in North Carolina and Exit 421 (I-81 Interchange) east of Knoxville, Tenn. It will take several months for crews to reopen the highway.

            Travelers can still reach Western North Carolina via I-40 from the east and I-26 to the north and south. Exits 20 and 27 on I-40 provide access to popular destinations west of Asheville. In Tennessee, exits 432 through 451 provide access to popular destinations in southeastern Tennessee.

            The detour route is 53 miles longer and is an additional 45 minutes to an hour driving time. Motorists traveling on I-40 West should take Exit 53B (I-240 West) in Asheville and follow I-240 West to Exit 4A (I-26 West). Follow I-26 West (a North Carolina Scenic Highway) to I-81 South in Tennessee. Take I-81 South and follow it back to I-40 at mile marker 421. Eastbound motorists should use the reverse directions.

            Additionally, travelers cannot take U.S. 64 from North Carolina into Tennessee due to a rockslide that blocked the highway near the Ocoee 2 Dam in Polk County, Tenn., about eight miles west of North Carolina. U.S. 64 will be closed for several months.

            Motorists are advised to take U.S. 74 to Tennessee 68 North at Ducktown through McMinn County, then onto I-75 at Sweetwater in Monroe County. 

            NCDOT reminds motorists to stay alert, obey the posted speed limit, leave early and travel at non-peak times when possible. Plan ahead before driving by visiting the NCDOT Traveler Information Management System Web site at www.ncdot.gov/traffictravel/ or calling 511, the state’s free travel information line, for current travel conditions.

            NCDOT also provides alerts about traffic congestion, construction work and changes to the ferry schedule on Twitter. To access them, visit www.ncdot.gov/travel/twitter/.

***NCDOT***