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No official timeline available for reopening section of road between Tryon, Saluda

TRYON—Residents in Polk County are voicing renewed frustration over the lack of visible progress on repairs to Highway 176 between Tryon and Saluda, a key route that suffered heavy damage during Hurricane Helene. The road remains closed, and community concerns are mounting.

Recent wildfires, including the Green River Cove and surrounding blazes, added urgency to the situation by blocking fire control access and creating safety risks for residents living near the break. Some residents have expressed frustration not only at the delay but also at the inability to legally traverse the damaged section of the highway, which they say further isolates neighborhoods and increases emergency response times.

One resident said her elderly father, who lives near the damaged area, is unable to cross even with great caution despite being willing to accept the personal liability of doing so.

The detour now required to travel between Saluda and Tryon—via Ozone Drive—adds significant time and distance to daily commutes, business routes, and access to services. Locals say the extended closure has placed an unnecessary burden on both residents and first responders.

Inquiries to the North Carolina Department of Transportation confirmed that the repair project is still in the design and development phase. According to NCDOT representative Jay Johnson, the complexity of the repairs is compounded by the reimbursement mechanisms tied to federally declared storm damage. Johnson, who recently assumed the role following Wanda Payne’s retirement, has been gathering relevant project notes and information.

Johnson also referred the matter to Jeannette White, a colleague at NCDOT with closer ties to the project’s planning and execution. Requests for a formal update from White are pending.

Although Highway 176 falls under the state’s jurisdiction, Polk County officials were contacted to provide supplemental information or perspective on the delay. 

“I wish that I had some information for you, but I don’t since that is an NCDOT project,” said Kellie Cannon, the county’s public information officer. “Hopefully, they get back to you soon.”

The NCDOT oversees the second-largest state-maintained highway system in the country, with more than 80,000 miles of roads under its care. That extensive network, while critical to economic and public safety, presents logistical challenges when natural disasters strike.

No official timeline for construction has been released, and residents continue to call for clearer communication and expedited action.

Further updates will be provided as additional information becomes available.