The new lanes on I-26 West heading towards Hendersonville will open early Thursday, April 10.
As stated by NCDOT, the following will occur:
- Four lanes from Highway 25 to Airport Road
- Three lanes extending from Airport Road to Long Shoals Road
- The two lanes continue through the ongoing construction area until reaching Brevard Road.
In 2019, when the expansion initiative commenced, travelers started encountering frequent delays and severe overcrowding, leading to erratic traffic conditions.
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"If you find yourself stuck there, make sure to bring plenty of snacks and beverages along with you, and perhaps even a book at times," advised Jeremiah Donaldson, who has experienced the traffic issues for an extended period.
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"As long as we continue to pass on the left, stay cautious on the right, maintain our spacing, and adhere to the guidelines, everything will function smoothly," stated Donaldson.
Besides the newly added lanes on I-26 West toward Hendersonville, additional lanes were also inaugurated on I-26 East leading to South Carolina, stretching from Airport Road (Exit 40) all the way to U.S. 64 (Exit 49), as of last Saturday morning.
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This section features four lanes extending from Airport Road to U.S. 25 (Exit 44) and then narrows down to three lanes continuing up until U.S. 64 (Exit 49), as stated by the NCDOT.
The inauguration of the new lanes represents a significant achievement in one of the biggest transportation initiatives in the region's Western North Carolina area's past.