ASHEVILLE – Damage along Swannanoa River Road is indicative of the extensive devastation wrought by Tropical Storm Helene in Western North Carolina — muddy debris mounded along roadsides, cargo containers stacked like blocks and vehicles strewn among the wreckage.
Sections of the road have remained closed since the storm, and the N.C. Department of Transportation confirmed Jan. 3 there is no set timeline for reopening.
NCDOT spokesperson David Uchiyama said paving operations and guardrails have been completed between Azalea and Fairview roads, but some additional work is needed before reopening the section. Pavement markings and cleanup are “on the schedule” with NCDOT crews in the corridor. The city of Asheville will be doing some utility work, as well.
West of Fairview Road, where Swannanoa River Road is closed from Biltmore Avenue to South Tunnel Road, NCDOT crews are working on roadway and slope repairs. The debris contractor is currently on site working in areas alongside NCDOT crews, Uchiyama said.
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Mounds of trash and debris sit along the curb near businesses on Swannanoa River Road between Vineyard Boulevard and Truckers Place in Asheville on Nov. 9, 2024. When Tropical Storm Helene came through in September it flooded this area and left mountains of debris and sand behind.
There is no decision on time frame for reopening this section of roadway, he said. Reopening will be dependent on weather, completion of debris removal, roadway repairs and utility restoration.
“Multiple agencies including the City of Asheville, federal partners and utility providers are involved in operations to safely provide drivers access along this corridor,” Uchiyama said.
In Buncombe County, 19 NCDOT-maintained roads are currently closed due to Helene impacts, and five with only partial access. There have been 97 total closures in the county since the beginning of the storm, according to the NCDOT portal.
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Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Work is underway along Swannanoa River Road in Asheville after Helene