N.C./T.N. (WSPA) -- The scars of Hurricane Helene are still very evident along Interstate 40. With major pieces of its infrastructure washed away, crews with the North Carolina Department of Transportation say there is still a lot of work to be done.

Hurricane Helene left I-40 in shambles, washing away parts of the roadway and leaving areas unrecognizable.

At one point, the storm forced a complete shutdown of the interstate.

With intense work from NCDOT crews and several contractors, one lane in each direction was re-opened. But traffic remains heavy and the workload even heavier.

The road to full recovery won’t be quick. NCDOT crews said repairs will take many years and cost more than a billion dollars.

"I am very pleased with the progress made," Wesley Grindstaff, Division Engineer

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