ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Though the I-26 Connector project is intended to make travel easier for all of Asheville, the massive interstate initiative will require some difficult changes for several local businesses, especially along Haywood Road.
What is the I-26 Connector project?
The I-26 Connector project is a long-gestating plan to link Interstate 26 south of Asheville with U.S. 19/23/70 in the north, forming one continuous route. The $1.8-2 billion project has been in the works since the late 1980s, slowly developing until ground was officially broken on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
Read our story about the ground-breaking ceremony and project plans here.
What parts of Haywood Road will the I-26 Connector impact?
The scale of the I-26 Connector project means that the state has been tasked with acquiring additional land to build upon. However, not all of that land is unoccupied.
“All property owners have been contacted, and that process will continue throughout the year,” said Division 13 Construction Engineer Nathan Moneyham at the ground-breaking ceremony. “We prioritize relocations based on where construction is happening first.”…