Asheville’s Westgate flyover ramp to close permanently Aug. 2

Asheville drivers will lose a familiar route into Westgate on Sunday, Aug. 2, when the eastbound Patton Avenue-to-Westgate Parkway flyover ramp is scheduled to close permanently.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation says the closure will allow crews to build the next phase of the I-26 Connector interchange. Westgate businesses and other destinations are expected to remain accessible, but drivers heading east from Patton Avenue will need to follow a signed detour.

What is closing

The affected ramp carries eastbound traffic from Patton Avenue directly to Westgate Parkway. NCDOT describes the closure as part of the continuing I-26 Connector construction, not a short-term maintenance shutdown.

Drivers should follow the posted route by taking I-240 West and I-26 East to the Haywood Road exit. From there, motorists should cross over the interstate, merge onto I-240 East and I-26 West, and take Exit 3B for Westgate Parkway.

Portable message boards and other signs will be in place before the closure to help motorists navigate the new traffic pattern. NCDOT is advising drivers to plan ahead, use caution in the work zone and allow additional travel time.

Traffic patterns may change before Aug. 2

Local reporting from 828 News NOW said crews were tentatively scheduled to shift westbound I-26 traffic into the median on Friday, July 31, weather permitting. That traffic shift is separate from the permanent Westgate flyover closure, but both changes are connected to the next stage of interchange work.

Drivers should be prepared for changing patterns, slower speeds and possible delays as construction progresses. Motorists should follow posted signs and check current traffic information rather than rely on a fixed travel-time estimate.

ART routes and stops affected

The City of Asheville says Asheville Rides Transit routes W5, WE1 and WE2 are affected by the Patton Avenue and Westgate-area construction changes. For eastbound service, the routes will bypass the Patton Avenue eastbound frontage road by continuing east on I-240 and exiting at Exit 4B, Patton Avenue Downtown.

ART Stop 914 at Patton Avenue and FedEx and Stop 915 at Patton Avenue near Western Carolina Rescue Ministries closed beginning June 22. Riders using eastbound service can use Stop 913 at Patton Avenue and Florida Avenue or Stop 316 at Patton Avenue and Clingman Avenue as alternate stops.

For westbound service, Stop 154 at Riverside Drive and Hill Street remains closed. The city directs riders to nearby Stop 311 at Atkinson Street and Hill Street. Westgate Shopping Center remains accessible to westbound riders on routes W5, WE1 and WE2 through Stop 891.

Part of a larger ramp sequence

The Westgate closure follows earlier permanent I-26 Connector ramp changes, including closures affecting Riverside Drive and Hill Street. NCDOT says the project includes a redesigned interchange, replacement of aging bridges and improved roadway connections along the corridor.

Drivers should follow the signed detour beginning Aug. 2, watch for traffic shifts ahead of the closure and check ART alerts before traveling through the Westgate area.

Sources

• NCDOT Westgate flyover ramp closure notice
• City of Asheville ART service changes notice
• 828 News NOW traffic update