I-40 from Asheville to TN reopens after damage from Helene

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I-40 from Asheville to TN reopens after damage from Helene

By Celeste Headlee,

Published March 3, 2025 at 4:26 PM EST

Drone footage captures some of the damage caused by Helene to I-40 through the Pigeon River Gorge.

The destruction of local roads, bridges, and even a major interstate highway kept Asheville and surrounding towns mostly cut off from the rest of the world for days after Hurricane Helene.

Repair after repair, transportation in and out is becoming more normal. The reopening of I-40 between Asheville and TN is a milestone in the rebuilding effort.

Guest
Richard Stradling, Transportation reporter at The Raleigh 瓜神app & Observer

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Celeste Headlee

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Cole del Charco

Cole del Charco is an audio producer and writer based in Durham. He's made stories for public radio's All Things Considered, Morning Edition and Marketplace. Before joining Due South, he spent time as a freelance journalist, an education and daily news reporter for 瓜神app, and a podcast producer for WFAE in Charlotte.

See stories by Cole del Charco