Answer Man: When will Blue Ridge Parkway new bridge open and old one be torn down?
Today's question is about the new and old Blue Ridge Parkway bridges over Interstate 26 in Asheville. Do you have a question for Answer Man or Answer Woman? Email Executive Editor Karen Chávez at KChavez@citizentimes.com and your question could appear in an upcoming column.
Question: When the new Blue Ridge Parkway bridge over Interstate 26 in Asheville be completely connected and open to traffic, and when will the old bridge be demolished?
Answer: To answer these questions, we go to our sources with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, spokesperson David Uchiyama and Resident Engineer Luke Middleton.
Completing the new bridge
The new bridge is actually connected now, but it is not completely finished. When drivers on I-26 pass under the bridge, they can see a piece of board that connects the two large sections of concrete. There are a couple of final pours of concrete needed to have the final two sections permanently connected, Middleton said.
“A lot of small tasks remain before the final pour, and even more tasks before it opens to drivers," he said. “It’s exciting to look back at all that everybody has accomplished and to see it come so close to completion."
Construction of the bridge started in June 2022 with the first of 62 superstructure concrete pieces being lifted and put into place, Uchiyama said.
"There are 76 total pieces to the new bridge, and that includes 14 pier segments. Crews completed the eastern half in June 2023 before starting the western half in September 2023," he said. "The last segment was set on Feb. 24, and they are currently performing tasks that prepare for the two remaining closure pours."
Uchiyama didn't give an exact day or time for the final concrete pours but did say NCDOT will send out a notice so the public will be aware when it is about to happen. Middleton said it's likely to happen in the next three to six weeks. Not long after those final pours, the new bridge will be open to traffic, he said.
More: NCDOT: South Mills Gap Road bridge closed indefinitely due to flood damage
More: NCDOT: U.S. 64 bridge over Interstate 26 will be renamed Deputy Ryan P. Hendrix Bridge
Tearing down the old bridge
A plaque on the old bridge says it was first constructed in 1966, so it has been in operation for the past 58 years.
Removal of the existing bridge will commence after the new bridge opens to traffic, Uchiyama said.
"The contractor will conduct roadway work on the Blue Ridge Parkway using lane closures, so that they can switch traffic quickly as opposed to finishing things up before switching traffic. In essence, they'll be able to use both (bridges) as needed.
While there is no definite date for the tearing down of the old bridge and the opening of the new bridge, the NCDOT anticipates both projects to be completed over the summer.
“We certainly hope everybody who visits our area this fall to view the leaves changing colors and everything else Asheville has to offer will be able to drive on the new bridge,” Middleton said.
Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Answer Man: Blue Ridge Parkway bridges... what we can expect
