NCDOT C205078 Division 14 CMGC US74A Repairs (Henderson County)

In response to Hurricane Helene, the N.C. Department of Transportation Highway Division 14 is constructing permanent repairs to U.S. 74A in Gerton from Bearwallow Mountain Road to the U.S. 64/U.S. 74A/N.C. 9 intersection in Bat Cave, Henderson County, which is approximately 5 miles.

U.S. 74A will be reconstructed on much of its previous alignment. However, in some areas there will be shifts in alignment due to damage from Hurricane Helene. Three different sections, approximately 2.5 miles, of the U.S. 74A – Gerton project will be completely reconstructed due to hurricane damage. The remaining sections will be repaired and resurfaced. Ten culvert replacements and five retaining walls are proposed. Sections of U.S. 74A slated for total reconstruction are described as:

Reconstruction Site 1: From east of Fern Cove Lane to east of Pump Lane – Reconstruct roadway and proposed replacement of culvert east of Pump Lane. 

Reconstruction Site 2: From east of Upper Hickory Nut Gorge Trailhead to west of Grant Mountain Road – Reconstruct roadway and proposed replacement of culvert west of Grant Mountain Road. One retaining wall is proposed within this section.  

Reconstruction Site 3: From east of Grant Mountain Road to west of Freeman Hills Drive – Reconstruct roadway and proposed replacement of three culverts near Hummingbird Hill Road, Cave Inn Drive, and Possum Hollow Road. Four retaining walls are proposed within this section.  

All repairs and reconstruction will be completed with road closures and offsite detours avoided to the extent possible. Due to the complexity of reconstructing the roadway, road closures may occur for an extended period of time. More information on detours is included later in this handout, with an opportunity to comment and provide feedback on potential road closures and detours.