UNICOI COUNTY, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) reopened 40 sections of roadway once closed following the destruction of Hurricane Helene.
During a press conference Wednesday, TDOT said 49 sections of local routes were closed following the storm. The reopening of I-26 marked the 40th section of roadway to reopen.
TDOT reopened I-26 to one lane traffic in each direction, reconnecting a vital east-west pathway for drivers. Wide loads over 12 feet in length are not allowed on the roadway. Commercial truck traffic will remain on the official detour using I-87 and I-77. I-26 east exit 40 onto Jackson Love Hwy will remain closed. The entrance ramp from Jackson Love Hwy to I-26 East and I-26 west will be open.
Nine sections of state/local routes remain closed, according to TDOT. The department gave updates on each project:
- The SR 351 bridge in Greene County is serving local utilities with temporary waterlines on the bridge deck. TDOT officials say the temporary lines are expected to be removed in the next few weeks and repairs will be made to allow for one lane of traffic to return.
- SR 34 in Johnson County: Estimated completion winter 2025.
- SR 36 in Unicoi: Estimated completion April 2025.
- SR 81 in Unicoi and Washington Counties: Estimated completion
- May 2025.
- SR 81 bridge in Washington County: Estimated completion June 2025.
- SR 107 bridge in Greene County: Estimated completion June 2025.
- SR 159 in Carter and Johnson Counties: Estimated completion August 2025
- SR 67/91 bridge in Carter County: Contract advertised
- SR 353 bridge contract will be advertised in November
TDOT has one lane open in each direction on the westbound side of I-40 to the state line at Waterville Road and Hartford Road. I-40 is open to local traffic and deliveries only.
Eight counties in Tennessee have declared a disaster in Cocke, Greene, Washington, Carter, Unicoi, Johnson, Hamblen and Hawkins.
TDOT crews and contractors removed more than 70,000 cubic yards of debris from the six most-affected continues. TDOT said, for perspective, the amount of debris would cover the entire football field at Neyland Stadium and rise three feet over the top of the goal posts.
TDOT said the storm caused historic damage to bridges and roadways, especially in Upper East Tennessee. The department estimates hundreds of millions of dollars in damage and months of closures.
