Asheville Braces for Major Road Projects and Delays Ahead

Billion-dollar infrastructure upgrades promise long-term relief, but short-term pain for drivers

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:39am

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An abstract, blurred image of a vehicle in motion, conveying the sense of speed and change that will define Asheville's transportation landscape in the coming years.As Asheville embarks on a series of ambitious road projects, the city's streets will be filled with the chaotic energy of construction and the promise of future transportation improvements.Asheville Today

Asheville drivers are in for a bumpy ride as the city embarks on a series of major road projects that will reshape the local transportation landscape. From the long-awaited I-26 widening to the controversial I-26 Connector flyover, these ambitious undertakings come with a hefty price tag and years of construction delays. While officials insist these investments are necessary to future-proof Asheville's infrastructure, residents are left to navigate a maze of detours and traffic jams in the meantime.

Why it matters

These road projects are a double-edged sword for Asheville. On one hand, they promise to alleviate long-standing congestion issues and prepare the city for future growth. But the short-term disruption will test the patience of local drivers and businesses, raising questions about whether the ends justify the means.

The details

The I-26 widening project won't be completed until 2027, while the even more ambitious I-26 Connector, with a price tag of over $1 billion, is slated for completion in 2031. This connector includes a new French Broad River crossing and the addition of an eight-lane highway flyover, a move transportation officials insist is necessary to tackle bottlenecks at key intersections. Meanwhile, plans to widen I-40 from Asheville to Clyde have been scrapped in favor of an express toll lane, sparking debate over whether this will truly ease congestion or simply price out everyday drivers.

  • The I-26 widening project is expected to wrap up in 2027.
  • Construction on the $1 billion I-26 Connector is slated to begin this summer, with a completion date set for fall 2031.
  • The traditional I-40 widening project has been replaced with an express toll lane, which is 18 months away from final approval.

The players

Nathan Moneyham

North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) representative who revealed details about the I-26 widening and Connector projects.

Tristian Winkler

French Broad Metropolitan Planning Organization representative who announced the shift from the I-40 widening project to an express toll lane.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The French Broad Metropolitan Planning Organization will make a final decision on the I-40 express toll lane project in the next 18 months.

The takeaway

Asheville's ambitious road projects promise long-term benefits, but the short-term pain of construction delays and detours will test the patience of local drivers and businesses. While officials insist these investments are necessary to future-proof the city's infrastructure, the community must weigh the tradeoffs and determine if the ends justify the means.