U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced significant progress in the recovery efforts along Interstate 40 in North Carolina. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has removed legal barriers, enabling the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to acquire construction material from the nearby Pisgah National Forest much sooner than planned. Originally expected to source materials from 20 to 50 miles away, the expedited process allows for materials to be taken from just 1 to 3 miles from the construction site, leading to an estimated two-thirds reduction in both costs and timing, potentially saving hundreds of millions of dollars.
Secretary Duffy highlighted the collaborative effort between the FHWA and the United States Forest Service (USFS) under his leadership, resulting in the completion of a process that usually takes six months in just over one month. This acceleration allows NCDOT to access crucial resources needed for starting construction and rebuilding infrastructure critical to local residents and interstate commerce.
“This is another major milestone in the Hurricane Helene recovery efforts along I-40,” Duffy stated. “I’m proud of the Department’s hard work to ensure North Carolina can access a critical resource to rebuild efficiently and safely. This is what the Trump administration is all about — cutting red tape, saving taxpayer dollars, and delivering real solutions for the American people.”
Hurricane Helene caused significant damage on September 30, 2024, washing out 10 sections of eastbound lanes and shoulders across approximately four miles of I-40 along the Pigeon River. In February, Secretary Duffy, during a visit to the damage along I-40 in North Carolina, announced a successful collaboration between USDOT and the Department of Agriculture's U.S. Forest Service to accelerate reconstruction. This unprecedented cooperation resulted in USDOT obtaining the necessary consent and entry rights, allowing NCDOT access to the Pisgah National Forest for essential construction activities.
NCDOT initially requested access to multiple material sites by May 9, yet FHWA exceeded expectations by securing access to seven sites and speeding up the timeline. FHWA continues to work towards transferring property rights to NCDOT to ensure recovery efforts proceed without interruptions. NCDOT now has physical access to these material sites.
