Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025:
- Exactly 11 months after being demolished by Hurricane Helene, a major artery into and out of North Carolina is back fully operational.
- In other highway construction news, truckers who frequently travel across I-20 will soon see the end of an ongoing rehabilitation project in Bossier City.
- One of the nation’s largest Peterbilt dealer groups has expanded to a new state and now boasts 31 total locations.
I-26 bridges fully reopened
For the first time since Hurricane Helene in late September 2024, I-26 is fully open in both directions in Tennessee and North Carolina.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that twin bridges in Erwin near Exit 40 along I-26 that were destroyed by the hurricane on Sept. 27, 2024, are back open to traffic with two lanes in each direction, just as it had been before the storm.
Both of the eastbound lanes opened Tuesday, Aug. 26, while the lanes of the westbound bridge opened Wednesday.
One lane of traffic in each direction had been open in the area since late October 2024.
As for I-40, the other major interstate damaged by Hurricane Helene, one lane of traffic is open in each direction on both sides of the Tennessee-North Carolina border. States are projecting a Summer 2026 reopening for all lanes of traffic.
[Related: I-26 reopens in Tennessee after Helene flooding]
Louisiana nears completion of I-20 rehab project
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development announced that its $127 million I-20 rehabilitation project in Bossier City is more than 90% complete, with work progressing on both the travel lanes and several interchange ramps.
As part of this progress, the I-20 eastbound off-ramp to U.S. 71 (Barksdale Boulevard) is reopening to traffic on the evening of Thursday, Aug. 28, following its full reconstruction.
Immediately following the reopening of this ramp, the I-20 EB off-ramp to Louisiana Highway 3 (Benton Road) will close for reconstruction of the roadway approaches to the flyover bridge. This will be the final ramp to close as part of the project and is estimated to be closed until late December.
EB travelers wishing to access Benton Road can do so via the Old Minden Road interchange. Appropriate detour signage will be in place.
Currently, concrete paving operations continue in order to rebuild the LA 3105 (Airline Drive) on- and off-ramps, as well as the I-20 westbound on-ramps from both Barksdale Boulevard and Benton Road.
The Airline Drive ramps are estimated to reopen in late October/early November. The Benton Road and Barksdale Boulevard WB on-ramps should reopen in late November, all weather permitting, DOTD noted.
Other paving operations are progressing on the I-20 travel lanes in both directions, along with drainage improvements and other related construction activities. The entire project remains on track to wrap up in late 2025/early 2026. Construction progress can be tracked here.
[Related: Thank a trucker today. I know I will]
Peterbilt dealer group expands into North Carolina
The Pete Store this week opened its first location in North Carolina, expanding its presence in the Eastern U.S.The Pete Store
The Pete Store, one of the largest Peterbilt dealer groups in North America, has opened a new location in Asheville, North Carolina.
Located at 223 Amboy Road, the 30,000-square-foot facility on a five-acre site marks the company’s first North Carolina location. It offers preventive maintenance, warranty repair, advanced diagnostics and mobile service, supported by a comprehensive all-makes parts inventory to reduce downtime for regional fleets.
“We are excited to bring The Pete Store experience to Western North Carolina,” said Greg Arscott, Pete Store President. “This region is home to a large and growing base of Peterbilt customers, and this investment allows us to deliver the award-winning support they deserve closer to where they operate.”
The new location is expected to create at least 30 jobs as the company hires technicians, parts professionals, and support staff this fall.
The Pete Store now operates 31 locations across the eastern United States.
[Related: Used-truck pricing, long-term value: A role for aftertreatment maintenance]
