US 64 Reopens After Hurricane Helene

0:00It's March 26, Durham News Today starts now, AI-powered and ready, I'm Cory with the story. US-64 will fully reopen Saturday from Hendersonville through Batcave all the way to Chimney Rock. It's the first time since Hurricane Helene slammed Western North Carolina back in September, 2024. This key route has been limited to local traffic only until now, but those signs are finally coming down. Contractors with the North Carolina Department of Transportation clear tons of dirt washed down from nearby hills and hauled in 57,000. Tons of rock to rebuild, washed out spots. The highway climbs over the eastern continental divide before dropping into Batcave and linking up with the road to Chimney Rock. Helene's heavy rains turn creeks and rivers into raging floods that destroyed homes, businesses, and big chunks of roadway and hickory nut gorge. The bridge over the rocky broad river at Batcave survived, but its western approach got wiped out, leaving a tough mess for repairs.

1:02Eastbound lane were continues, so expect temporary signals to squeeze traffic into one lane until around Memorial Day. A temporary paved road with single lane bridges made from railroad flat cars now connects Batcave to Chimney Rock, but full permanent fixes won't wrap, up until late 2028. Meanwhile, two northern routes into Batcave stay local traffic only. This reopening eases access for Lake Louer visitors and march real progress in the long recovery ahead.