I-95 fully reopened throughout North Carolina

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Updated Oct 23, 2016
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Update – Wednesday, Oct. 19, 8 a.m.: The North Carolina Department of Transportation has announced I-95 is completely open in both directions throughout the state. I-95 South is still reduced to one lane, however, at exit 79 and exit 25 as crews work to repair damage from Hurricane Matthew.

Update – Monday, Oct. 17, 3 p.m.: According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, I-95 North is open throughout the state with no closures. The only closures that remain on I-95 in the state are the southbound right lanes near exit 79 and exit 25. I-40 has also been reopened in both directions.

A traffic shift has opened a lane of I-95 South near mile marker 78 where a washout of the interstate occurred last week. A temporary lane has been placed on the southbound side of the median to allow traffic to flow in one lane, making the previously-announced detour through the town of Benson unnecessary. NCDOT expects the regular southbound lanes to be closed for approximately a week as crews repair the washout.

Original story follows:

Nearly a week has passed since Hurricane Matthew made landfall in the United States, but North Carolina is still reeling from flooding as a result of the storm.

Portions of I-95 have been closed since the hurricane, and one section that was washed out will be closed for at least three weeks, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

I-95 South near the 78 mile marker will be closed for at least three weeks due to the washout. NCDOT has shifted traffic onto the northbound side of I-95 in this area with crossovers to create a two-lane, two-way highway. NCDOT will reroute drivers in this area from I-95 South to I-40 West to U.S. 301 to Jonesboro Road and back to I-95 South to get around the washout.

The interstate is also still closed on the southbound side from exit 56 to exit 13, and on the northbound side from exit 13 to exit 22. Additionally, I-40 West is closed between exit 341 and exit 334 until further notice.

Drivers entering North Carolina on I-95 from Virginia are encouraged to take U.S. 64 West to I-440 West to U.S. 1 South to U.S. 501 South to U.S. 74 East and back to I-95. NCDOT also says southbound drivers from U.S. 264 can take I-95 to I-40 West, then to U.S. 1, U.S. 501, U.S. 74 and back to I-95. Other alternate routes suggested by NCDOT can be found here.

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North Carolina and South Carolina, both impacted strongly by the storm, still have certain trucking regulation waivers in place, as the states’ governors have declared states of emergency. Kentucky and Virginia have also issued emergency declarations that suspend certain regulations for truckers traveling into the affected states to provide aid or relief.

North Carolina’s declaration suspends certain hours-of-service regulations, certain size and weight restrictions and certain registration requirements for vehicles transporting equipment and supplies for the restoration of utility services and for equipment for any debris removal. Vehicle weight must still remain under the maximum GVWR from a vehicle’s manufacturer or 90,000 pounds gross weight, whichever is less, according to the emergency declaration. Tandem axle weight must also remain under 42,000 pounds and single axle weight under 22,000 pounds.

South Carolina’s waivers include suspension of hours of service limits and size and weight regulations. The size and weight waivers applies on trucks up to 90,000 pounds – anything above that needs a permit from the state.

Virginia’s and Kentucky’s governors both issued emergency declarations this week suspending regulations for trucks hauling food, equipment, supplies and more to the states affected by Hurricane Matthew.