Archived News

Tanker spill closes I-40 near Tennessee

The N.C. Department of Transportation is working with the Tennessee Department of Transportation to advise drivers from the Knoxville area heading to Asheville and beyond that taking an alternate route is advisable.

Drivers heading east on I-40 from the greater Knoxville area can take I-81 north then I-26 east to reach Asheville and continue through North Carolina on I-40. The interstate may reopen by 9 p.m.

Traffic is utilizing the on and off-ramps at Exit 7 to continue on I-40. But the backup extended to the Tennessee state late before noon on Friday.

Several NCDOT Incident Management Assistance Patrol (IMAP) vehicles are assisting with traffic control in the crash area, while the tar spill is cleaned up. That work could keep the highway closed until 9 p.m.

NCDOT reminds motorists to drive with caution when driving through work zones and to move over one lane if possible when approaching IMAP vehicles with flashing yellow lights.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on Twitter.

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.