Holiday travel crossing the Tennessee border into North Carolina via Interstate 40 is going to take some patience and planning, just like last year.

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Beginning Nov. 1, traffic in both directions will be reduced to one lane between U.S. 276 (Exit 20) and mile marker 18 as two bridges over White Oak Road undergo construction for replacement, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

The one-lane traffic pattern will remain until May when replacement construction of the two bridges, which are at the end of their life, substantially nears completion.

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Drivers to and from Tennessee have the option to merge into the single lane and continue along this stretch or use Interstate 26 and Interstate 81 as an alternate route to avoid the work zone on weekends and during periods of heavy congestion.

The alternate I-26 and I-81 route travels between Dandridge and Asheville and through Kingsport. It adds about 45 minutes to your driving time compared to a traditional trip through the gorge, NCDOT notes. Drivers should plan ahead for delays and visit DriveNC.gov for real-time traffic before driving through the Pigeon River Gorge.

“On most days, safely driving through this work zone will take the least amount of time,” Chad Franklin, NCDOT Regional Intelligent Traffic Systems Engineer, said in a news release. “But going through Kingsport will save drivers the most time on weekends and busy days. It is important to factor this construction into any travel plans heading through this area over the winter.”

Signs alerting drivers traveling east on I-40 of the work zone and suggesting the alternate I-26 and I-81 route will start in Knox County.

“The traffic management plan includes a balance of the need for infrastructure improvements with travel times and safety for workers and drivers,” said construction engineer Mitchell Bishop. “The contractor made great strides with their operations last winter and we look forward to substantially completing both bridges before next summer.”

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Once the two White Oak Road bridges are replaced, crews will begin replacing another I-40 bridge over the Pigeon River on Fines Creek Road (Exit 15).

The two-year bridge project began last year, closing the same stretch on I-40 until this past spring. The construction method is designed to lower costs and expedite delivery from the first step of the design phase until the final inspection, according to NCDOT.

The project also includes wildlife fencing with jump-outs that allow bears, deer, elk and smaller animals to cross the highway.

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email [email protected]. Twitter @dturner1208.

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Source: https://t-tees.com
Category: WHY