I-40 Opens To Local Traffic Only
I-40 is back open past Exit 440 in Cocke County. On Monday, TDOT opened Interstate 40 to local traffic only between MM 446 and Exit 451, Waterville Road. That 5 mile stretch is now open with eastbound lanes being moved over to the westbound side, with one lane of traffic in each direction. This section of the interstate is still closed to thru traffic and commercial vehicles. Parts of I-40 East were washed away by the flooding of the Pigeon River on September 27. Up until Monday, eastbound traffic had been made to exit at exit 440. The interstate continues to be closed at the North Carolina state line and could be closed for at least a year as parts of the interstate were washed away between the state line and Exit 20 in North Carolina.