Fast-tracking recovery after Hurricane Helene to restore safety and resilience to mountain communities

NC 9 Helene Emergency Repairs - US 74A to Buncombe County Line

When Hurricane Helene swept through western North Carolina, it left behind historic destruction. Among the hardest hit roadways was North Carolina Highway 9 (NC 9), a winding two-lane mountain road built in the 1950s. Erosion and mudslides closed the corridor, cutting off safe travel and limiting access for residents and visitors.

Restoring this vital connection quickly became a top priority for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). They engaged our team to design nearly two miles (three kilometres) of NC 9, incorporating both emergency repairs and long-term resilience against future storms.

Our team brought together roadway, hydraulic, and geotechnical expertise, while also supporting traffic control, utilities, and permitting. We conducted river modeling and stream investigations, assessed culvert damage, and worked side by side with NCDOT in planning and environmental reviews.

Innovation was key. To stabilize the mountainside, we anchored the rock embankment with a specialized grouted “toe” design and introduced a new debris catchment area approach. These techniques hadn’t previously been used by NCDOT and will help protect against future landslides. By accelerating design, working nights, weekends, and holidays, our team helped NCDOT fast-track construction.

Today, NC 9 is being reconstructed, reopening pathways for residents and welcoming back the tourism that fuels the local economy. While rebuilding takes time, this project marks an important step toward stability, safety, and renewal for the mountain communities of western North Carolina.