We all know the vital role the US 25/70 bridge plays in our daily lives. As the primary gateway crossing the French Broad River, it is our lifeline for commerce, emergency services, and our connection to Marshall, NC, and the rest of Madison County.
As the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) moves forward with the total replacement of Bridge No. 67, residents and commuters should prepare for a long-term shift in local traffic patterns.
Key Update: Construction is slated to continue through 2028, with all work occurring during daylight hours.
Why the Change?
The current bridge, built in 1951, has served Hot Springs for over 70 years. To ensure the long-term safety of our residents and the thousands of hikers who cross it on the Appalachian Trail each year, a modern, wider structure is being built. This new bridge will feature:
- Dedicated Pedestrian & Bike Lanes: Safer crossing for hikers and cyclists.
- Increased Resilience: Built to higher modern standards to better withstand heavy river flows.
- Wider Lanes: Improving the flow for local traffic and transport vehicles once the project is complete.
What to Expect: Traffic & Work Hours
Because this is a multi-year project in a sensitive mountain environment, we want to be transparent about the daily impacts:
- No Overnight/Weekend Work: To minimize the impact on our residents and local wildlife (including protected bat species in the river corridor), there will be no construction activity at night. All work will be conducted during standard daytime hours..
- Single-Lane Patterns: Expect the bridge to be reduced to one lane during active work windows. This will be managed by temporary traffic signals or flaggers.
- Weekday Focus: Most heavy activity will be concentrated on weekdays, though you should always check the schedule before a critical trip.
- Appalachian Trail Access: The A.T. will remain open, but hikers should expect brief 10–20 minute delays during major crane or overhead operations.
Navigating the Delay
Since the US 25/70 bridge is our primary link to Marshall, planning ahead is essential:
- The 10-Minute Rule: Add at least 10 minutes to your commute if you are heading toward Marshall or the high school.
- Daytime Awareness: Since work is limited to the day, your early morning and late evening commutes should remain relatively clear, but “daylight hours” vary by season—plan accordingly.
- DriveNC.gov: Bookmark the NCDOT real-time map. It is the most accurate way to see if a specific bottleneck has formed before you leave the house.
Conclusion: Investing in Our Connection
While four years of orange cones and flaggers is a long time, this bridge is the heart of our infrastructure. By replacing it now, we are ensuring that our connection to Marshall and the rest of the county remains safe and reliable for the next 75 years.
We appreciate your patience as we work with the NCDOT to keep our town moving. Remember: slow down in the work zone—our neighbors are the ones out there in the vests.
Stay safe, Hot Springs!