Business owners say I-26 headaches are driving down agritourism

Nearly 130,000 vehicles travel on Interstate 26 every day. According to NCDOT, 74,000 vehicles use the corridor near Interstate 40, while approximately 56,000 vehicles use the corridor near US Highway 64. As they continue to widen the four-lane highway, some who rely on fall tourism are increasingly frustrated. “It’s frustrating at best,” said Lola Coston, owner of Coston Farms. “You can be at a booth that’s not under construction, and you go right through, and then you’re stuck with a bottleneck. So, it’s frustrating.” NCDOT has been discussing expanding the special 17-mile stretch since the early 2000s, “When it’s done, it’s going to be a huge benefit, because it’s going to flow through the area to Asheville and beyond,” said Nathan Moneham, construction engineer for NCDOT’s division. Moneham That said, the project is now almost halfway through. Some say traveling I-26 in western North Carolina can be a headache, especially with the influx of tourists in the fall. Costan believes construction is bad for business. “But we’re seeing more and more, especially this year as I-26 construction slows down,” she said. “And those who came to us before an alternative route was found, or were just suffering during construction.” Whether they were under construction or not, traffic would be bad, the NCDOT said. They urge drivers to stay safe while they continue to work, and plan to end work sometime in late 2024 or early 2025. “I think the main thing I’m trying to say is to be careful when you’re passing through the area,” Moyniham said. “Be careful. Follow and pay attention to construction signs.”

Nearly 130,000 vehicles travel on Interstate 26 every day.

According to NCDOT, 74,000 vehicles use the corridor near Interstate 40, while about 56,000 vehicles use the corridor near US Highway 64.

If they continue to widen the four-lane highway, some business owners who rely on fall tourism will be frustrated.

“It’s frustrating at best,” said Colston Farm owner Laura Coston. “You could be at a booth with no construction, and you go straight through, and then you’re stuck with a bottleneck again. So, it’s frustrating.”

NCDOT has been in discussions to expand this special 17-mile stretch since the early 2000s, with construction beginning in the fall of 2019.

“When it’s complete, it’s going to be a huge benefit in bringing a lot of traffic through the area to Asheville and beyond,” said Nathan Moneyham, NCDOT Division Construction Engineer.

Moyniham said the project is now almost halfway through.

Some say traveling I-26 in western North Carolina can be a headache, especially with the influx of tourists in the fall.

Construction is bad for business, according to Costan.

“But we’re seeing more and more, especially this year, there’s been a slowdown in construction on I-26,” she said. “And those who came to us before an alternative route was found, or were just suffering during construction.”

Traffic will be bad whether they are working or not, the NCDOT said. They urge drivers to stay safe while they continue to work, with plans to end it sometime in late 2024 or early 2025.

“I think the main thing I’m saying is to be careful when you’re passing through the area,” Moneyham said. “Be careful. Follow and pay attention to construction signs.”

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