Asheville -- September 9, 2026: A section of Hill Street in Asheville will close to all traffic beginning Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, as part of the ongoing I-26 Connector Project. This significant closure is expected to last at least through the end of 2027, impacting direct routes for commuters traveling between the Hillcrest and Montford neighborhoods and Riverside Drive.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), which manages the I-26 Connector Project, stated that a complete closure is necessary due to limited space and the realignment of I-26. This will allow crews to safely replace the Atkinson Street bridge over I-26 and construct a new multi-leg roundabout. The new roundabout will connect Hill Street, Atkinson Street, Courtland Avenue, and Houston Street, permanently reshaping access in and out of downtown Asheville.
For Asheville commuters, the closure means the loss of a direct link to and from Hillcrest Apartments, the Montford neighborhood, and Riverside Drive. This aligns with several other permanent ramp closures related to the I-26 Connector Project earlier in 2026, including the Riverside Drive entrance ramp to I-240/I-26 East and the I-240/I-26 West off-ramp to Hill Street. Drivers previously advised to use the Broadway Street exit for access to Hill Street and Riverside Drive when related ramps closed should continue to anticipate changes in traffic patterns.
The closure is a key component of the larger I-26 Connector Project, a multi-billion-dollar effort designed to improve traffic flow, enhance safety at problematic interchanges, and reduce congestion near downtown Asheville. The project involves modernizing layouts, eliminating short weaving ramps, and constructing new bridges over the French Broad River.
NCDOT will post closure and detour signs throughout the affected area to guide drivers. The City of Asheville also coordinates local impacts and directs residents to the NCDOT website for state road closure details, while maintaining a local closures map for city streets. Commuters should plan for extended travel times and consider alternative routes during the approximately 15-16 month closure period.