I-40 Closed Both Directions Haywood County Near Tennessee State Line

Haywood County --  Interstate 40, a critical east-west corridor, has been shut down in both directions near the Tennessee/North Carolina state line due to a significant rockslide and severe flooding.

The closure has a direct and substantial impact on travel for residents and businesses in Haywood County, North Carolina, as the affected stretch lies within the notoriously challenging Pigeon River Gorge.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) initially reported the closure, confirming that the incident occurred primarily around mile marker 450 in Cocke County, Tennessee. However, the cascading effects and localized flooding extend well into Haywood County, where the mountainous terrain of the gorge presents ongoing challenges. Images from the scene depict lanes inundated with standing water and mud, with some vehicles reportedly submerged.

This latest shutdown comes just months after I-40 in the same region began to reopen following extensive damage from Hurricane Helene last fall. That event led to washouts and required months of repair work, leaving sections of the interstate reduced to a single lane in each direction with a restricted 35 mph speed limit. The recurrence of such severe disruptions underscores the geological instability and vulnerability of this particular stretch of highway to extreme weather.

Authorities from both TDOT and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) are actively responding to the situation. Crews are working to recover stranded vehicles and assess the full scope of the rockslide. Geotechnical engineers are en route to evaluate the stability of the mountainside. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, and all passengers from vehicles that have been recovered are accounted for.

For Haywood County residents and other motorists needing to travel west, official detours are in place. NCDOT strongly advises travelers to avoid the I-40 corridor through the gorge. The recommended alternate route from Western North Carolina is as follows:

I-40 West traffic must use Exit 20, US 276 (Jonathan Road)
Use I-40 East to Exit 46B, I-240 East.
Motorists must continue I-240 East to Exit 4A, I-26 West.
Motorist must continue on I-26 West to I-81 S in Tennessee.
Motorists may use I-81 South to re-access I-40.

Motorists should be aware that this detour significantly increases travel time, potentially adding 45 minutes or more to typical journey durations. Additionally, larger vehicles and wide loads may face further restrictions and should consult specific advisories, as some GPS-suggested routes through the gorge are explicitly prohibited for trucks or may be impassable.

Officials urge all drivers to prioritize safety and check official traffic resources like DriveNC.gov and local news outlets for the most current updates before attempting any travel through or near the affected area. The situation remains fluid, and the full timeline for reopening I-40 is currently unknown as assessment and recovery efforts continue.

WNCTimes

Image: WNCTimes