Ramp revamp to limit Gorman Street access off I-40 East

Construction crews closed the Gorman Street (Exit 295) ramp at 6 p.m. Thursday and it will remain closed through the early morning hours on Monday so workers can fully reconstruct the ramp, state Department of Transportation officials said.

Crews will be tearing up and excavating the existing ramp, installing a drainage system and repaving the exit during the weekend.

A signed detour will be in place during the closure, leading drivers on eastbound I-40 to Lake Wheeler Road (Exit 297). Drivers will turn left at the end of the ramp, cross over the highway and use I-40 West to access the Gorman Street exit.

Drivers can also use Lake Wheeler Road to access other popular routes in the area, including Tryon Road, Centennial Parkway and Avent Ferry Road.

Drivers should expect delays in the area during commute hours on Friday.

DOT spokesman Steve Abbott said they usually try to avoid closures during morning and evening commutes, but there is a lot of work to do and a small window in which to get it done.

“They are going to tear that whole thing up, like they have the main part of I-49. They are going to put a new drainage system in, they are going to rebuilt it and so, it is going to take about three days. Hopefully no more than three days,” he said. “In fact, we told the contractor no more than three days to get it open so Monday morning, back to normal.”