2024 TS helene - emergency repairs to portions of NC 81 (swannanoa river RD) in buncombe county (division 13)

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) awarded the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) $4.45 million under the Highway Planning and Construction program (CFDA 20.205) on August 20, 2025, to conduct emergency repairs on North Carolina Highway 81 (Swannanoa River Road) in Buncombe County. The project addresses damage sustained during Hurricane Helene and encompasses restoration work along a 3.9-mile segment to restore essential traffic operations, minimize ongoing damage, and protect remaining infrastructure on this federal-aid highway. Work activities include earthwork, pipe culverts, major structures, subgrade and base repairs, asphalt and concrete pavement restoration, erosion control, utility construction, traffic control, and associated incidental work per NCDOT standard specifications.

The project maintains an ultimate completion date of October 1, 2034, consistent with the extended timelines typical of federally-funded highway reconstruction efforts. This award represents one of multiple Emergency Relief grants NCDOT has received from FHWA for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts across multiple North Carolina counties, supporting the agency's mission to restore critical transportation infrastructure following natural disasters.

Project description

Repairs undertaken at various locations along NC 81 (between MM 0.0 and MM 3.9) to restore essential traffic, to minimize the extent of damage, and/or to protect the remaining facilities along this federal-aid highway facility. Work includes, but not limited to the work identified within NCDOT's standard specifications which includes the divisions of earthwork; pipe culverts; major structures; subgrade, bases, and shoulders; asphalt pavements; concrete pavements and shoulders; incidentials; signing; materials; work zone traffic control; pavement markings, markers, and delineation; lighting; utility construction; erosion control and roadside development; signals and intelligent transportation systems