Weaverville -- June 35, 2026: Drivers on I-26 near Weaverville should prepare for significant delays and changing traffic patterns as crews execute a major traffic shift just east of Exit 19.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has initiated nightly closures from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., which began Tuesday night and are scheduled to run through Friday night, June 26.
The primary goal of this operations window is to shift westbound traffic onto a newly constructed alignment. This milestone allows contractors to clear the old lanes and transition into Stage III of the ongoing bridge construction project.
While crews are working to complete the bulk of the configuration changes during the overnight hours, NCDOT officials warn that delays could extend into the weekend.
Weather plays a critical role in the final timing. If rain or unexpected storms stall paving or striping operations, the traffic shift will be pushed further into Saturday or Sunday. State engineers noted that once the physical shifting process begins, crews must finish it to ensure road safety, meaning weekend daytime travelers could catch the brunt of any schedule slides.
With congestion expected to build around the construction zone, state transportation officials are issuing a direct warning to local commuters: do not use Main Street in Weaverville as a shortcut. NCDOT tracking shows that cutting through town frequently causes gridlock on local roads, and drivers will ultimately save time by remaining on the interstate.
Motorists heading through the northern Buncombe County corridor over the next few days are urged to reduce speeds, remain alert, and extend following distances to protect highway construction crews.
For real-time traffic updates, lane closure extensions, and live road conditions, drivers can monitor DriveNC.gov before heading out.