Repairs expected to last months
A new necessary repair has appeared in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. A deep pipe failure and a weakened slope below the road will require a closure of N.C. 106 in Macon County for at least four months.
The N.C. Department of Transportation will close the highway to all traffic between the Blue Valley Overlook and the Osage Overlook starting tomorrow morning. Residents will have access to their homes in neighborhoods off N.C. 106. However, this damage cuts the direct route for passenger vehicles between Highlands and Georgia.
The marked detour will direct westbound drivers north on N.C. 106 to U.S. 64 West to U.S. 441 South. The same routes, in reverse, will apply to eastbound drivers.
The damage and ensuring repairs add about 20 minutes to a typical driver from Highlands to Dillard, Ga. — Trucks are prohibited on N.C. 106 during normal conditions. Large trucks must use U.S. 441 to Dillsboro, then U.S. 23/74 to Sylva, then N.C. 107 south to Highlands.
NCDOT engineers found a deteriorated pipe more than 40 feet below the road surface during a thorough examination of the road following the storm.
Transportation officials will award a contract in the coming days to repair the pipe, rebuild the roadbed and strengthen the slope below the road.
Transportation officials have identified more than 7,380 damaged sites in western North Carolina. NCDOT has reopened more than 760 roads. But more than 500 remain closed due to the devastating storm.
Pictured at the top of the article is NC 106 looking towards Highlands. Dusty’s Rhodes Superette is at the bottom left of the frame.
Article courtesy of the NC Department of Transportation