From Staff Reports 

JONATHAN CREEK — A section of Interstate 40 in Haywood County officially reopened at sunrise March 1, Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) reported later March 1.

“This long-awaited reopening follows over five months of closure due to catastrophic flooding and mudslides caused by Hurricane Helene, which damaged several lanes near the Tennessee state line,” News 13 noted.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation originally had planned to reopen the highway by New Year’s Day 2025. However, a new washout in December led to an extended closure.

“The reopened segment of the highway will be reduced to one lane in each direction through the Pigeon River Gorge,” News 13 stated. This section extends about 12 miles, from Cold Springs Creek Road (Exit 7) in North Carolina to Big Creek Road (Exit 447) in Tennessee.

Traffic in this area of I-40 will be reduced to a speed limit of 35 miles per hour.

After News 13’s story, the “Comment Bubble” included the following posting: 

• TheOracle — “Let the traffic and commerce (and horse trailers) flow.”