# $1.8B Asheville Connector Project Under Way

- **Published:** 2026-10-22
- **Edition:** Southeast
- **Source:** Construction Equipment Guide
- **Authors:** Cindy Riley – CEG Correspondent
- **URL:** https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/18b-asheville-connector-project-under-way/72579
- **Tags:** Highway, Infrastructure, North Carolina

## Summary
The Asheville I-26 Connector project will widen existing I-26/I-240, build a new interstate alignment across the French Broad River and upgrade several interchanges.

## Article

In North Carolina, a $1.8 billion project that includes approximately 7 mi. of interstate improvements is gaining momentum. The Asheville I-26 Connector project will widen existing I-26/I-240, build a new interstate alignment across the French Broad River and upgrade several interchanges.

“It will modernize a transportation corridor that no longer meets today's traffic demands,” North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) communications officer Stephanie Johnson told Construction Equipment Guide. “Much of the existing interstate and interchange system was built decades ago and is experiencing increased congestion and aging infrastructure.”

The I-26 Connector will enhance connections between I-26 south of Asheville and U.S. 19/23/70 north of the city, while separating interstate traffic from local traffic in the downtown area.

“The project will also replace aging bridges and improve local street connections,” said Johnson. “Together, these improvements will create a safer, more efficient transportation network that will serve western North Carolina for decades.”

Archer-Wright Joint Venture is constructing both the north and south sections of the I-26 Connector. The team was selected through NCDOT's competitive bidding process and has experience delivering complex transportation projects.

Johnson noted that now is a good time to perform the work.

“This project has been in development for many years, and has completed the planning, environmental review and design process. With funding in place and contracts awarded, we're able to move forward with construction. Advancing the project now allows us to replace aging infrastructure, while improving mobility for the region's future.”

Major work on the north section officially began this past spring with the project's groundbreaking. Although some initial activity took place beforehand, April marked the start of full-scale construction. The project remains on schedule for completion in 2031.

Johnson explained the extreme price tag reflects the size and complexity of the work.

“The I-26 Connector includes interstate improvements, new roadway on a new location, interchange reconstruction, multiple new bridges and improvements to local roads. It also requires extensive grading and excavation to build the new roadway and prepare the site for construction.”

The I-26 Connector is divided into multiple phases, allowing work to move forward as funding, design and environmental approvals are completed.

“Construction is currently under way on the north and south sections,” said Johnson. “Other portions of the overall project remain in various stages of planning and development.”

As for unavoidable detours and delays, Johnson said, “Keeping people moving safely is one of our top priorities. Drivers will continue to see periodic lane closures, traffic shifts and occasional ramp closures as construction progresses. Whenever possible, we schedule the most disruptive work during off-peak or overnight hours. We encourage motorists to stay alert, follow posted signs and check for project updates before traveling through the area.

“We understand that construction can be inconvenient, especially on a corridor that so many people rely on each day. While drivers are adjusting to changing traffic patterns, many also recognize the need for these long-term improvements. We appreciate the public's patience, and will continue providing timely updates, so people know what to expect.”

Johnson added, “It's exciting to see years of planning become visible progress. This project has been discussed for decades, and people are finally seeing major construction take shape. Every bridge, roadway improvement and traffic shift brings us one step closer to delivering a safer, more efficient transportation system for western North Carolina.”

The project has required unique work in and around the French Broad River, the third oldest river in the world and one of Asheville's most popular outdoor recreation spots for residents and visitors. Construction has been planned in phases to allow visitors to continue using the river throughout construction.

When asked by Construction Equipment Guide about the main concerns for crews, NCDOT resident engineer Tom Veazey said, “The project's size and complexity create several construction challenges. One of the biggest is maintaining the schedule, since many activities must be carefully coordinated and completed in the right sequence to keep the overall project moving forward.

“Also, weather can be challenging in the mountains of western North Carolina, particularly during the winter,” said Veazey. “Heavy rain, snow and icy conditions can affect site conditions, slow productivity and limit the ability to safely perform certain construction activities. Crews plan for changing conditions and adjust operations as needed to keep work moving safely.”

Veazey noted traffic is another major consideration.

“More than 90,000 vehicles travel through this corridor each day, so protecting both the traveling public and construction crews while maintaining safe traffic patterns requires constant coordination and attention to detail.

“Some work areas are extremely constrained, while the equipment needed to complete the work is very large. Careful planning and coordination of crews, equipment and construction activities are essential to maintaining safety and efficiency in these tight areas.”

Crews have completed several early construction activities, including traffic shifts to provide access for bridge foundation work; clearing and grubbing in certain areas; temporary traffic paving and shifts; and installation of temporary drainage.

Bridge foundation and substructure work is under way. Upcoming activities include continued grading, utility relocation, drainage and bridge construction, along with future roadway and paving operations.

Early construction involved drilling work in the French Broad River, which was completed last year without incident. Crews from RK&K/S&ME placed two mobile drill platforms in the water between the Bowen Bridges and Pearson Road Bridges. Each 9-ft.-wide platform remained in the water for about three months and was equipped with safety equipment to alert river users.

The drill platforms stayed in the river during the day and then moved, whenever possible, to the riverbank at night. When parked on the riverbank, rigs were secured to heavy equipment with cables. All equipment left in the water overnight or along the riverbank was equipped with marine safety lights.

According to NCDOT, drilling operations were conducted as part of a design phase for the I-26 Connector project. These operations determined the condition and elevation of the rock around the proposed bridge foundations. The team drilled a hole that extended about 50 ft. below the stream bed.

Regarding unexpected obstacles during construction, Veazey said, “As with most large design-build projects, teams regularly encounter issues that require adjustments and coordination as work progresses. At this stage, many of those issues involve right-of-way and utilities, particularly because the project is being built through a tight urban corridor. The project team works to identify and address those issues as they arise, while keeping construction moving forward.”

The project calls for approximately 1 million cu. yds. of excavation and grading material, while paving involves several coordinated steps to create a safe, smooth and durable roadway.

“The process typically begins with preparing and grading the roadway surface, followed by placing and compacting the required base materials,” said Veazey. “Once the foundation is ready, crews place the asphalt using paving equipment and compact it to achieve the proper density, smoothness and grade.

“On a project of this size, paving also requires careful coordination of materials, equipment, crews, traffic control and timing. Maintaining the proper temperature and sequence during placement is critical to producing a quality finished roadway.”

The project demands a wide range of equipment, depending on the work taking place. Heavy machinery currently being used includes excavators, bulldozers, off-road trucks, on-road dump trucks, foundation drill rigs, soil-nailing drill rigs, cranes of various sizes, skid steers and concrete pumps.

Major materials used on the project include rebar, concrete, prestressed concrete girders, aggregate and asphalt. The project also requires precast wall panels, precast drainage structures, various types of drainage pipe, including concrete, welded steel and plastic pipe, and water and sewer materials.

“This project is especially meaningful because many of the people building it live and raise their families in western North Carolina,” said Veazey. “They take pride in improving the community they call home and understand the long-term impact this project will have on the region. Our teams are committed to building infrastructure that makes the community safer and stronger for their own families and for generations to come.”

## Photos

![Upcoming activities include continued grading, utility relocation, drainage and bridge construction, along with future roadway and paving operations.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72579-S-160_26-CR-3_JPG-f39dcf77a41f09ee45c3fe2a03758d1c.jpg)
*Photo credit: NCDOT photo*

![The Asheville I-26 Connector project will widen existing I-26/I-240, build a new interstate alignment across the French Broad River and upgrade several interchanges.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72579-S-160_26-CR-1_JPG-dc9ea8c8f322e9af84ce71842383b26f.jpg)
*Photo credit: NCDOT photo*

![In North Carolina, a $1.8 billion project that includes approximately 7 mi. of interstate improvements is gaining momentum.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72579-S-160_26-CR-2_JPG-17a4ace68d27455af26fb173762bc68b.jpg)
*Photo credit: NCDOT photo*

![Early construction involved drilling work in the French Broad River, which was completed last year without incident.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72579-S-160_26-CR-4_JPG-989fccbefe113c15253ab3b5a35d1e21.jpg)
*Photo credit: NCDOT photo*

![Heavy machinery currently being used includes excavators, dozers, off-road trucks, on-road dump trucks, foundation drill rigs, soil-nailing drill rigs, cranes of various sizes, skid steers and concrete pumps.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72579-S-160_26-CR-5_JPG-3712d5fcbb8b5fa93a96afe6b7af46c2.jpg)
*Photo credit: NCDOT photo*

![The project demands a wide range of equipment, depending on the work taking place.](https://dmt55mxnkgbz2.cloudfront.net/1205x0_s3-72579-S-160_26-CR-6_JPG-ae2d6f515d7f4e0e193dd384e33e2bbc.jpg)
*Photo credit: NCDOT photo*