On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene changed Chimney Rock and the communities surrounding it.

Floodwaters tore through Western North Carolina, washing away roads, damaging bridges and cutting off communities. Along the U.S. 64 and U.S. 74A corridor, the force of the storm reshaped the landscape and left portions of the roadway impassable.

Wright Brothers was among the contractors called in during the immediate response, working alongside NCDOT and others to clear debris and restore access.

But clearing the way was only the beginning.

This photo, taken in April 2025 during construction of the temporary Chimney Rock State Park access bridge, shows what recovery looked like more than six months after Helene. Heavy equipment fills what had once been familiar ground. Crews are working between the river, homes and businesses, damaged terrain and the roadway, rebuilding access within a community that was still finding its way back.

Today, that work continues on an even larger scale.

Wright Brothers is leading two NCDOT contracts along the corridor: In Henderson County, we're reconstructing approximately 4.8 miles of U.S. 74A between Gerton and Bat Cave. In Rutherford County, with our partner STV, we're continuing the work approximately 2.6 miles from the Bat Cave area through Chimney Rock.

The work includes roadway reconstruction, drainage improvements, slope stabilization, retaining walls and other infrastructure needed to restore this vital connection through Western North Carolina.

Nearly two years after Helene, there is still work to be done. For us, what began with helping make an impassable road passable has become a long-term commitment to rebuilding the corridor.

We were here for the recovery. We're proud to be here for the rebuild.