I-40 in western NC

[SC Minnie]

I know I-40 is back open but can someone tell me if all lanes are open? We are heading to Knoxville next weekend and I am trying to get a feel of how bad the traffic will be.

 

[mumom95]

We just took I-40 this past weekend, both directions. We had no problems at all.

 

[SC Minnie]

We just took I-40 this past weekend, both directions. We had no problems at all.

Thanks!

Someone in my office said west bound had only 1 lane open so I was concerned.

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

I live in Knoxville, and I *think* all the lanes are supposed to be cleared after the rock slide several months ago. I thought it opened back up a few weeks ago. I haven't heard of any traffic issues from friends that have headed that way.

I think both NCDOT and TDOT have road closure information on their website, if you want to double check the interstates, though.

 

[mumom95]

Thanks!

Someone in my office said west bound had only 1 lane open so I was concerned.

Well, now that you say that, we did go through one part where a lane was closed, but I didn't think it was I-40 (it was a long car trip, 14 hours each way). So, honestly, I know I'm not being much help, but your officemate might be right.

I do remember they had signs above the highway that said "I-40 open through Tennessee", that I am sure of.

Sorry, I'm probably being more of a problem than a help. But it was 4 women in the car and there was a lot more talking than paying attention to traffic going on. I will say we were never stuck in traffic, it moved along fine. We made really, really good time.

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

The NC Dot website says one westbound lane will be closed for a few miles.

It also says that one "some Sunday mornings" traffic will be stopped for about thirty minutes.

 

[TLHB70]

I am so glad you posted this! I was wondering about it too. I had planned to check on it. We are going to Pigeon Forge in a month, and I have to drive it! DH cannot get off of work, and we have already purchased tickets for ChristyFest. (My younger DD is a huge Christy fan. We bought tickets for the festival as her Christmas present so we cannot miss it now.) It is held in Townsend, but we have booked our hotel stay in Pigeon Forge. (I hope to get a meal at the Old Mill before heading home. )

 

[tebi73]

I am so glad you posted this! I was wondering about it too. I had planned to check on it. We are going to Pigeon Forge in a month, and I have to drive it! DH cannot get off of work, and we have already purchased tickets for ChristyFest. (My younger DD is a huge Christy fan. We bought tickets for the festival as her Christmas present so we cannot miss it now.) It is held in Townsend, but we have booked our hotel stay in Pigeon Forge. (I hope to get a meal at the Old Mill before heading home. )

Totally OT here, and not trying to jack the thread, but what's Christyfest? We'll be in PF around that time too.

And to get back on track, we just went over this past weekend from Asheville, NC and Eastbound is open both lanes except about 3 miles it was one lane - no traffic problems though. Westbound, both lanes are open.

 

[TLHB70]

Totally OT here, and not trying to jack the thread, but what's Christyfest? We'll be in PF around that time too.

And to get back on track, we just went over this past weekend from Asheville, NC and Eastbound is open both lanes except about 3 miles it was one lane - no traffic problems though. Westbound, both lanes are open.

Honestly, I am not sure what to tell you. We have never been. It is for fans of the old TV series and book Christy. ( http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108725/ ) My daughter just got hooked on both the show and book last summer. She loves it. She found out about ChristyFest from her aunt (DH's aunt, who also introduced her to the book and series) so she asked to go. We surprised her for Christmas by purchasing passes for her, her sister, and me. Her sister and I are not really fans, but we will be going along. I am not sure what to expect, to be honest.
Here is the link with some information. http://www.christyfest.org/

 

[JesB]

I live in Nashville and as far as the road closures due to flooding is concerned all the Interstates are back up and running full out.

 

[SC Minnie]

Thanks everyone! I checked the NCDOT website too after posting this and it did say one lane westbound was closed for about 3 miles. Its always good to get a perspective of how much this delays things though. We may leave about 30 min earlier than originally planned to make sure we get there on time.

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

Just know how lucky you are that it's open. We had to travel that way last fall and dh REFUSED to take the designated detour....he designed his own route. The road he took was sooooo curvy that I fell asleep and had dreams that I was being flushed down a toilet

Then he took the same road on the way back in the dark with pea soup fog.....20 mph the whole way

 

[BellvilleDad]

Depending on traffic and weather conditions, of course, taking 19 through Maggie Valley to Cherokee, then 441 to Gatlinburg is not a bad trip. And it's much more scenic! I went that way last month and it was only 15 minutes longer between Gatlinburg and Maggie Valley than it normally is on I-40.

To answer the OP (as other already have), however, both eastbound lanes are open. There is a 3 mile stretch of westbound I-40 in NC that is still one-lane.