Jan Appling Secretary | DeKalb County Republican Party
Jan Appling Secretary | DeKalb County Republican Party
The Interstate 40 in North Carolina, severely damaged by Hurricane Helene, has reopened after five months. The highway, a critical route for the region, had sections that collapsed into the Pigeon River due to torrential rains. This reopening marks a significant development for local travel and commerce.
Initially, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg indicated that repairs could take "months or even years" and require billions of dollars. During an October visit with Governor Roy Cooper and NCDOT Transport Secretary Joey Hopkins, Buttigieg assessed the damage alongside other officials.
However, under new leadership from Sean Duffy as Trump's transportation secretary, efforts to repair I-40 accelerated significantly. The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced the reopening of the highway on Saturday morning. They stated: “This marks a significant step toward reconnecting North Carolina with Tennessee, and it comes as a relief to travelers and businesses alike."
According to reports from WSBTV, rock was pulled from the river to expedite repairs three times faster and at reduced costs.
Travelers are advised to remain cautious as parts of the area continue to be active work zones.
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