Transportation officials have opened a seven-mile stretch of westbound I-40 in Johnston County that closed as a result of Hurricane Matthew.
The westbound lanes of the interstate – from mile marker 341 to mile marker 334 – had been closed since Sunday, when heavy rain washed out both lanes near N.C. 96, east of Benson. Drivers had to be detoured onto N.C. 55 to N.C. 50 to N.C. 96 while crews assessed and repaired the roadway.
Although the surface of the highway was intact, crews had to fill a gaping hole beneath the surface and also examine for damage a pipe running underneath both lanes of I-40 West. Work involved cutting out the pavement, assessing the pipe and then re-laying it before repaving the road.
This stretch of I-40 was among hundreds of state-maintained roads and highways that were forced closed as a result of the weekend storm.
For the latest on road conditions, as well as real-time weather and updated shelter information, visitReadyNC.org, download the ReadyNC smartphone app or call 5-1-1.
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Dial 211 to speak with a trained call specialist about Hurricane Matthew assistance in your area; the service is free, confidential and available in any language. Call 511 for the latest road conditions or check the ReadyNCmobile app, which also has real-time shelter and evacuation information. For updates on Hurricane Matthew impacts and relief efforts, go to ReadyNC.org or follow N.C. Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook. People or organizations that want to help ensure North Carolina recovers can visit NCdisasterrelief.org or textNCRecovers to 30306.