The North Carolina Department of Transportation expects I-40 across the state line to be open through the Pigeon River Gorge by New Year’s Day.

NCDOT says traffic would be moving slower than normal, estimating a 40 mph speed limit with one lane in each direction.

The news comes just over a month after Hurricane Helene brought floodwaters to the area, washing away several areas of the interstate’s eastbound lanes.

Long-term plans are still in early development and there‘s no set date for when construction on the final repairs would start or how much they’ll cost.