Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said in a press conference Monday that work will begin next week on the shuttered section of I-40 in Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina for a temporary fix until the interstate can fully reopen.
As previously reported by Overdrive, the eastbound lanes of I-40 were washed out due to floodwaters from Hurricane Helene. The interstate is closed for 43 miles in both directions between Exit 432 (US 25W/US 70/US 411) in Tennessee and Exit 20 (US 276) in North Carolina.
DriveNC.gov previously listed October 2025 as the potential reopening date, but the site now notes that an “estimated repair time is unknown at this time.”
According to a report from Raleigh news station WRAL, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee highlighted the importance of I-40 for both states “for the people that come, that drive in and out of Tennessee, but it’s important for North Carolina because the repairs that have to be made on the North Carolina side of I-40 will have to be delivered through Tennessee.”
Lee added that work for a temporary fix is “already under contract, already underway.” He said the temporary fix will “turn this interstate at least into a two-way traffic road temporarily until permanent fixes are made.”
[Related: I-26 in TN likely to remain closed at least through October: TDOT]
I-26 also still remains closed on both sides of the Tennessee-North Carolina state line. DriveNC.gov forecasts it will remain closed through the end of October.
The North Carolina DOT has offered this map for detours around the closed interstates. NCDOT encourages those traveling to Southern Tennessee, Georgia or Alabama to use U.S. 74 West. Those heading to Virginia and other parts of Tennessee to use I-77 North to I-81 South. Finally, those traveling from east of Winston-Salem to Tennessee and Virginia to use I-74 West to I-77 North to I-81 South.
Trucks longer than 30 feet delivering essential items to affected areas are encouraged to use the routes listed here.
[Related: NCDOT: I-40 could remain closed until October 2025]
