On October 2, 2026, traffic began crossing the new US 25/70 bridge over the French Broad River in Hot Springs. For most of us, this bridge is the way home. It carries school buses, delivery trucks, commuters headed toward Marshall and Asheville, and visitors getting their first look at the river and the town. Seeing it open is a bright day in our community’s future.
The project isn’t finished yet. Crews still need to complete the bridge railing and take down the old bridge, so delays will continue for a while.
What to expect on the road
On weekdays, traffic on the new bridge will be limited to one lane, with temporary signals at each end. A few habits make the wait easier for everyone:
- Add a few extra minutes to any trip that crosses the river.
- Stop on red, even when the bridge looks clear. Crews and equipment may be working just out of sight.
- Watch for people on foot. The Appalachian Trail crosses the French Broad on this bridge, and hikers walk it in every season.
- Paddlers can still put in at the NOC lot and pass under the bridge when it is safe. Follow crew directions on the water.
Days when I-40 backs up
The longest waits are likely on days when Interstate 40 slows or closes in the Pigeon River Gorge. Map apps often reroute drivers through Hot Springs on US 25/70, even though NCDOT’s official detour keeps traffic on I-26 and I-81. That extra traffic, meeting a one-lane signal, can back up fast.
Before you head out, check DriveNC.gov, NCDOT’s live traffic map. You can save a route you drive often and sign up for text or email alerts when something happens on it. If you know a neighbor with a medical appointment or a work shift on the other side of the river, a quick heads-up on a bad I-40 day can save them a long wait.
Goodbye to the old bridge
Crews began taking down the old bridge on the morning of October 5, 2026. It had carried traffic across the French Broad since 1951, about 75 years. NCDOT records describe the concrete bridge as about 529 feet long, built in eight spans, with six of its supports standing in the river. The state considered it eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Before construction began, NCDOT agreed to photograph and document the old bridge for the state’s historic preservation files, and to have the new bridge echo some of its original details.
The new bridge sits just south of the old one. NCDOT’s plans call for four spans of about 140 feet each, which leaves only two supports in the river. That gives the French Broad more room to pass underneath, which matters in a river town known to flood. Rain on the new deck drains off at the ends instead of falling straight into the river, and a five-foot sidewalk runs along one side. The Appalachian Trail now crosses on the north side, with new stairs connecting the trail to the bridge.
The red light won’t last much longer. The bridge will serve Hot Springs long after the last crew packs up.