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I-26 in North Carolina

I-26 in North Carolina

The North Carolina DOT completed the I-26 freeway  from Mars Hill to the Tennessee State Line in August 2003. The new highway is becoming a  primary interstate route to the west and southeast and intersects with Interstate 81 in Tennessee north of Johnson City.

NCDOT is also actively working on the I-26 Connector which will connect I-26 from the I-26/I-40/I-240 interchange southwest of Asheville, to US 19-23-70 north of Asheville.  This "Asheville Bypass"  will complete the final major project connecting  I-26 from Charleston, South Carolina with I-81 north of Johnson City, Tennessee. The I-26 Connector is listed in the NCDOT’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) as Project No. I-2513 and is currently in the project development and environmental

analysis phase.   A major portion of  I-26 from the Madison-Buncombe County Line to I-240 in Asheville has been named the Morris L."Mac" McGough Freeway, in honor of the legendary North Carolina civic and economic development leader.  Mac McGough (along with former Asheville Mayor Lou Bissette) were instrumental in securing funding and advancing the North Carolina projects in the TIP. 

The strategic importance of the Interstate 26 route was demonstrated during summer, 1997 when Interstate 40 between Asheville and Knoxville was closed due to a major rock slide.  US 23 (I-181) through Johnson City served as a detour for I-40  while reconstruction work was underway.  Safety features including a fog detection and warning system and bridge deicing system are included along I-26 north of Asheville.   Shown below are views of work on the  interstate north of Asheville.  The Virtual I-26 Tour website documents construction activities during the decade long developmental period of the project.   The New I-26 Virtual Tour website documents the completed route in Tennessee and North Carolina as well as sections of old U.S. 23 in North Carolina. 

Take John Lansford's "Virtual Tour of I-26 Construction" 

Take H.B. Elkins' "New Virtual Tour of the Completed I-26"

"I-26 Scenic Tour"

Johnson City MTPO 137 W. Market Street Johnson City, TN 37604. Site Created by: Johnson City Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization Copyright ©2008 JCMPO All Rights Reserved.