For those hitting the road on I-26 in Unicoi County, there's a traffic pattern shuffle coming your way. According to a recent announcement from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), drivers can expect a significant shift today, as workers make headway on bridge repairs in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Previously, vehicles traveling through the stretch between MM 39 and 40 in Erwin were corralled into single lanes on the eastbound side, but this afternoon, the outside lane on each side of the freeway is slated to open. The inside lanes, however, will remain off-limits while crews put the finishing touches on the repair work. To make commutes smoother, the entrance ramp from Jackson Love Highway to I-26 West will also reopen to traffic. The reconstruction of the I-26 East bridge wrapped up in March, and the westbound counterpart is scheduled for a ribbon-cutting by September 15, weather permitting.
Motorists in this patch have grown accustomed to construction cones and flashing lights since Hurricane Helene tore through the area last September, leaving the twin bridges in ruins. Cordial as ever, the TDOT urges drivers to keep a weather eye out for delays, to exercise the utmost caution amid the hustle and bustle of the work zone, and to tap into the wisdom of the ages – or at least the wisdom of traffic apps – under the enduring "Know Before You Go!" mantra. The hustle of industry continues, and while progress hums along, drivers are not to be texting, tweeting, or getting chatty on calls while steering the wheel; a safe trip is the aim, after all.
