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Bettesworth Construction
Asheville

I-26 Connector Construction Changes Routes for Asheville Firefighters

AFD crews have changed routes around Hill Street and Riverside Drive during I-26 Connector construction, but a measurable fire response-time impact has not been established.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 3 min read
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Yes. Asheville Fire Department crews have adjusted routes for calls around Hill Street and Riverside Drive because of I-26 Connector construction. The department has not established that recent closures and traffic shifts caused a measurable increase in fire response times, however; it says it monitors conditions and changes routes when needed.

What routes have Asheville firefighters changed?

AFD says crews have adjusted routes for calls in the Hill Street and Riverside Drive area. The department has not identified the precise alternate streets or dispatch routes publicly, so there is not enough information to map a specific detour for fire apparatus. The City describes the Connector as an approximately seven-mile project that includes Riverside Drive work between Hill Street and Broadway Street. City of Asheville project information.

Has construction measurably slowed fire response times?

AFD has not reported data showing a measurable increase in response times attributable to recent Connector closures and traffic shifts. It typically analyzes response times citywide twice a year and says it monitors major changes and adjusts routes and responses as necessary. No project-specific fire response-time figure or completed analysis isolating Connector effects from other causes has been reported.

That distinction matters: a route adjustment is a documented operational change, but it does not by itself show that a response took longer. AFD says heavy traffic generally increases emergency response times, while the effect of these particular construction changes has not been established.

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How the Connector work affects the road network

The project spans five sections and includes I-240 and interchange upgrades, new-location freeway construction across the French Broad River, improvements at I-40 connections, and Riverside Drive work. NCDOT’s March 26, 2026 update on the northern section described plans to widen I-26/I-240 from four to six lanes between Haywood Road and Patton Avenue, upgrade the Haywood Road and Broadway Street interchanges, improve Riverside Drive, and build a new interstate location and I-26/I-240 interchange. These are project plans, not confirmation that every element is currently affecting fire access. See the NCDOT I-26 Connector project page.

In an April 23, 2026 groundbreaking announcement, NCDOT estimated the overall project at $1.8 billion and projected completion in late 2031. The completion timing is an agency estimate, not a guaranteed date. Construction staging and closures can change, so check current official notices rather than relying on an older detour description.

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Connector closures are not the only source of congestion

AFD has also cited backups on I-240, I-26, Hendersonville Road, and Sweeten Creek Road, among other routes. Traffic conditions on these roads are broader congestion concerns and should not be treated as evidence that the Connector alone caused a delay.

Pearson Bridge is a separate disruption

AFD said the six-week Pearson Bridge closure changed routes for responses involving Richmond Hill and Bingham Road. That closure is distinct from the I-26 Connector work.

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What police have said—and what that does not establish

Asheville Police Department Public Information Officer Rick Rice said, “In general, we have not seen the I-26 Connector project affect response times. There may be individual instances when response times are affected, but those could be due to various factors and may be difficult to pinpoint.” This is APD’s assessment of police response, not evidence of fire-department response times.

What drivers should do around emergency vehicles

AFD’s public guidance is to stay alert and move right when an emergency vehicle approaches from behind. When approaching a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights, slow significantly and move over when possible; follow public-safety officials’ directions at the scene. AFD also recommends planning routes, keeping a safe following distance, and avoiding distractions such as cellphone use.

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