The U.S. 70 bridge in North Carolina has reopened after being closed for three months due to damage from Hurricane Helene.
Backstory: The bridge, located between Asheville and Swannanoa, was crucial for commuters. It connected roughly 16,000 vehicles daily before being shut down by the hurricane's damage, which significantly increased traffic on local highways.
Details: The repair work focused on rehabbing the substructure and building a reinforced retaining wall. Crews also completed the paving shortly before reopening, ensuring the road was safe again for travel.
- Repairs cost around $900,000.
- IPC Structures and APAC Harrison were responsible for the bridge work and resurfacing.
Impact: With this reopening, traffic congestion on I-40 and I-240 is expected to decrease as drivers return to using the bridge, reported NCDOT.
The bottom line: The reopening marks an important step toward normalcy for the community, although many roads in North Carolina are still affected by the hurricane's impact. Thankfully, no additional U.S. highways are closed in Buncombe County at this time.