WCS Permits & Pilot Cars - Oversize Load Permits

WCS PERMITS & PILOT CARS

888.PERMIT.3

WCS PERMITS & PILOT CARS

888.PERMIT.3
Order Permits
Permit Portal Login

Pages

Categories

I-40 Reopens Between TN & NC, Oversize Restriction Still in Place

I-40 Reopens Between TN & NC, Oversize Restriction Still in Place

I-40 reopened to motorists on March 1 with wide load, oversize and speed restrictions between Tennessee and North Carolina for the first time since Hurricane Helene.

Motorists and trucks can travel between the two states on I-40 for the first time since September 2024, another milestone in the progress made since Hurricane Helene devastated parts of Tennessee and North Carolina. However wide loads 8-6 or greater are prohibited from using the roadway.

In October 2024, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) reopened I-40 to one traffic
lane in each direction between MM 446 and MM 451 (Waterville Road) in Cosby, just before the
TN/NC state line.

Due to anticipated slowdowns and lengthy delays, TDOT recommends that motorists traveling into
North Carolina take I-81 North to I-77 South in Virginia or I-81 North to I-26 East.

This area will have lowered speeds, with a 40-mile-per-hour limit in Tennessee and a 35-mile-per-
hour limit in North Carolina. Vehicles over 8-6 wide will not be allowed to use this roadway.

TN and NC DOT warn that the area is still an an active work zone in both states, with reduced lane
widths to protect workers rebuilding the interstate in Tennessee and North Carolina.

In addition, please be aware of the following:

  • The work zone extends from MM 446 in Tennessee to MM 7 in North Carolina.
  • There is only one lane of traffic open in each direction across approximately 12 miles.
  • Work crews and construction equipment will enter and exit this roadway daily.
  • There are no shoulders and no emergency pull-off lanes within the work zone.
  • There are no exits in the work zone with easy access to gas stations or convenience stores.
    For more information on Hurricane Helene Recovery efforts, please visit:
    https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/hurricane-helene-recovery.html.

WCS Permits & Pilot Cars - Oversize Load Permits

WCS Permits & Pilot Cars is North America’s oversize load permit authority. 

Phone: 888-737-6483

Services
About WCS
Stay Connected

Follow us on social media for the latest industry news, company updates & more.

Facebook X-twitter Youtube Instagram Linkedin

Copyright 2026 © WCS Permits & Pilot Cars. All Rights Reserved. | Site by Creative Touch Comm