North Carolina
I-40 is open between Tennessee and North Carolina. What drivers should know
Good news, travelers!
Interstate 40 is open once again at the Tennessee and North Carolina state line. The highway reopened June 27 following a rockslide and flood that overtook the road June 18.
Drivers can now cross the state’s border on I-40. For those planning to take the interstate through the mountains, here’s what you should know before you drive.
First, the interstate is not reopening to its full capacity. Interstate 40 is open with one lane in each direction ‒ the same conditions that were set in October after Hurricane Helene swept through the region in September.
Drivers should expect to travel at 40 miles per hour on the narrowed lanes through the mountain, according to Rutherford. Trucks and commercial vehicles will be allowed to pass through the corridor, but vehicles with oversized loads should seek an alternate route.
The lowered speed limit is due to infrastructure damage from Hurricane Helene, not the recent landslide. The two incidents were completely independent of one another.
Second, as you drive through the region, know that construction crews are working on the side of the road, continuing to rebuild the highway.
“This is an active construction zone,” said Drew Rutherford, a TDOT spokesperson. “Be aware that workers are present. Be cognizant that this is a work zone and exercise caution.”
Is I-40 open between Tennessee and North Carolina?
Yes, I-40 has reopened at the state line. Drivers can cross between Tennessee and North Carolina freely.
What caused the I-40 East closure between Tennessee and North Carolina?
There was a rockslide and flooding June 18, near mile marker 451 in Tennessee, according to TDOT. Since then, Interstate 40 has been closed beginning at mile marker 447 in Tennessee and Exit 20 in North Carolina, blocking travel between the two states.
The road closure in North Carolina was also due to the rockslide, causing an impass, according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation spokesperson Aaron Moody.
How long is Interstate 40 in Tennessee?
Tennessee has more miles of I-40 within its boundaries than any other state, according to TDOT. The highway stretches 455 miles in the Volunteer State. I-40 has a total of 2,554.22 miles across the United States in eight states.
Is I-40 the longest interstate?
While I-40 spans 2,554.22 miles from California to North Carolina, it is not the longest interstate in the country. I-40 is the country’s third-longest interstate, according to WorldAtlas.
I-40 is outranked only by Interstate 80 and Interstate 90.
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
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Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
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