NCDOT Defends Helene Recovery Efforts as Residents Await Long-Term Road Repairs

Transportation officials highlight progress but acknowledge years of work remain to rebuild damaged corridors in Hickory Nut Gorge.

Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina’s transportation network, state transportation leaders say significant progress has been made — but residents and businesses are still waiting for some of the largest repairs to begin.

North Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Daniel Johnson visited the Hickory Nut Gorge on July 30 to review recovery efforts and meet with local officials overseeing repairs in Chimney Rock, Lake Lure and Bat Cave.

Johnson said NCDOT has completed work on more than 8,500 storm-damaged sites statewide and restored access on more than 99% of roads that were closed after Helene.

“It’s remarkable how much we’ve got done,” Johnson said. “We’ve still got some bigger, more complex projects to complete over the next couple of years.”

While officials emphasized progress, the visit also highlighted ongoing questions about timelines, funding, construction delays and how infrastructure will be rebuilt to withstand future storms.

Major Hickory Nut Gorge repairs still years away

One of the region’s most significant projects remains the permanent reconstruction of the transportation corridor through the Hickory Nut Gorge.

NCDOT officials said the project is still in the design and permitting phase, with major construction expected to begin next spring.

Nathan Moneyham, an NCDOT engineer overseeing the project, said crews are working with Wright Brothers Construction to develop permanent solutions.

“There’s still design work involved in that process, including securing our environmental permits and other things,” Moneyhan said.

The construction timeline could extend into 2029 because crews must rebuild while maintaining access for residents, businesses and visitors.

“We’ve got to continue that coordination as we construct the project,” Moneyham said.

Residents still facing closed roads and detours

Although NCDOT says most access has been restored, some roads remain closed because permanent repairs are complex or expensive.

Johnson said travelers should not assume a closed road means a community is inaccessible.

“Most of the roads that are closed, there are alternative access routes to get to wherever you would need to go,” Johnson said.

He encouraged visitors to continue traveling to Western North Carolina, saying communities such as Chimney Rock, Lake Lure and Bat Cave remain open for business.

Accountability questions remain after additional storm damage

Officials were also questioned about whether completed repairs have held up after additional heavy rainfall events.

Following Memorial Day storms, portions of Bearwallow Mountain Road suffered damage while construction was underway.

Mike Patton, NCDOT resident engineer for Division 14, said approximately six inches of rain fell in a short period, damaging a partially completed drainage structure.

“That rain completely destroyed everything we saw,” Patton said. “It sent us back to square one.”

Patton said NCDOT has redesigned the project and expects crews to resume work soon.

“It did set us back, but Mother Nature will do that,” he said.

Building back stronger — but with a longer timeline

Officials said Helene exposed vulnerabilities in mountain infrastructure, and engineers are incorporating those lessons into future designs.

Johnson said projects are being rebuilt with stronger standards where possible.

“Our engineers and designers do their best to make sure that the designs and what we’re building are as resilient as possible,” Johnson said.

The secretary pointed to the Interstate 40 reconstruction through the Pigeon River Gorge as one of the state’s largest recovery challenges.

“Making sure we stay on track and get that completed as quickly and efficiently as possible remains our highest priority,” Johnson said.

Material sourcing and costs remain challenges

NCDOT officials said obtaining construction materials in remote mountain areas continues to be a challenge.

Moneyhan said crews are using a combination of locally sourced materials and materials transported from outside the region.

“There is a mix of both materials we can find close by and ones we’re having to truck here,” he said.

Officials said using nearby sources, including local quarry operations, has helped reduce transportation demands.

Temporary road future remains uncertain

Community members have asked whether temporary roads built after Helene could be preserved as trails or recreation paths.

Johnson said NCDOT is working with local governments on future planning but must balance transportation requirements.

“We want to make sure that our plans help accommodate their future plans,” Johnson said.

Recovery continues

Johnson said NCDOT will remain focused on Helene recovery until all major projects are completed.

“Helene recovery has been the department’s number one focus and will remain the department’s number one focus until we’ve completed what’s ahead of us,” Johnson said.

For residents and business owners in the Hickory Nut Gorge, the announcement represents both progress and a reminder that full recovery will take years — with continued oversight needed as billions of dollars in storm recovery work moves forward.