Interstate 40 in Cocke County is open to one lane of traffic in each direction. Only local traffic is welcome on the highway as Hurricane Helene recovery continues.

Interstate 40 in Cocke County is expected to reopen to one lane of traffic in each direction by the end of the day Oct. 22, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Local traffic is welcome on the highway as Hurricane Helene recovery continues.

After the Tennessee Department of Transportation was forced to close large sections of Interstate 40 that were damaged by flooding, the roadway has partially reopened across Cocke County.

On Monday, the Tennessee Department of Transportation said it was getting closer to reopening a part of I-40 for local traffic. TDOT’s Mark Nagi said lots of progress has been made to get the interstate reopened for local residents.

Traffic on I-40 was limited both eastbound and westbound following flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Helene. TDOT advises that as of Monday, Oct. 21, I-40 is open in both directions but only to local Cocke County traffic, it remains closed to through traffic and commercial vehicles.