Asheville Begins Construction on Swannanoa River Bridge

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is building a temporary bridge to restore access to the Gashes Creek neighborhood.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Construction

Asheville Begins Construction on Swannanoa River Bridge

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The North Carolina Department of Transportation has launched construction on a 300-foot temporary bridge over the Swannanoa River in East Asheville. The project aims to reconnect Azalea Road to Gashes Creek Road following damage from Tropical Storm Helene.

Why it matters

The temporary span restores vital access to the Gashes Creek neighborhood, mitigating ongoing landslide and erosion risks associated with current detour routes. The city eventually plans to remove the Lake Craig Dam and construct a permanent bridge upstream.

The temporary bridge measures 300 feet in length and carries a final contract cost of $4.1 million. This figure is lower than the $6 million initial estimate previously established for the project.

The players

North Carolina Department of Transportation

This state agency is responsible for planning and managing the construction of transportation infrastructure across North Carolina.

Dane Construction

This firm is the private contractor currently holding the $4.1 million agreement to build the temporary bridge.

City of Asheville

This municipal government serves the local community and is coordinating the infrastructure recovery efforts following Tropical Storm Helene.

OLIN

This organization is tasked with providing professional planning estimates regarding the future permanent bridge structure.

The details

Construction crews are working to establish the temporary crossing, which necessitates intermittent lane closures along Swannanoa River Road and Azalea Road. These closures are scheduled to avoid weekday peak hours and all holiday periods.

The city of Asheville approved the bridge agreement in August 2025.
Construction on the temporary bridge began the week of October 19, 2026.
Significant lane closures are expected to take place throughout the winter of 2026-2027.
OLIN will provide cost and timeline estimates for the permanent bridge in early 2027.
Completion of the temporary bridge construction is expected by May 21, 2027.

Market Landscape

This project represents a critical phase in regional infrastructure recovery following the extensive damage caused by Tropical Storm Helene. The work positions the city to address long-term stability by replacing compromised assets like the Lake Craig Dam with modern engineering.

Local residents and daily commuters should prepare for intermittent traffic delays on Swannanoa River Road and Azalea Road throughout the winter months. The project serves to improve road safety by eliminating reliance on unstable detour routes prone to erosion.

The takeaway

The construction of this temporary crossing is a bridge toward long-term permanent infrastructure improvements for the East Asheville area. Residents should monitor local traffic alerts to navigate the scheduled lane closures effectively.