TDOT hopes to finish I-26 work by Oct. 31

Work on Interstate 26 through Unicoi County is still expected to finish by Oct. 31, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation. TDOT Regional Communications Officer Mark Nagi confirmed Oct. 6 that work had resumed again in early September on the $10.7 million project, which covers about 7.75 miles of I-26 between the Carter County line and near Main Street in Erwin. The project had been halted for several weeks by unforeseen issues. "Work was stopped while TDOT investigated a drainage issue," Nagi said. "Once an acceptable plan was developed to address drainage concerns, the contractor was instructed to resume work." Nagi said the project's expected finish date has not changed despite the delays. TDOT currently expects all resurfacing work to be completed by Oct. 31, although finished painting could come later. "The current goal is to complete all resurfacing by Oct. 31 of this year," Nagi said. "We potentially will not have final pavement markings until later this year or early next year." The project, contracted to Summers-Taylor Inc., was part of a three-year resurfacing program identified before Hurricane Helene. Heavy equipment used during the region's recovery efforts contributed to pavement damage along the interstate, which runs through a heavily traveled portion of Unicoi County. The recent drainage investigation followed problems involving groundwater and fine sediments in portions of the travel lanes and shoulders, which had complicated construction during the summer. A sinkhole also temporarily closed a lane near mile marker 27.8 in August, though that was a separate issue from the broader drainage concerns. With work back underway, motorists should continue to expect construction activity and possible lane restrictions through the remainder of the project.