ASHEVILLE - Traffic has started to travel across a long-awaited bridge on the Blue Ridge Parkway over Interstate 26 in South Asheville, the North Carolina Department of Transporation announced Oct. 1.

The announcement called the new permanent bridge's completion a "major step" in the I-26 widening project in Buncombe County. It allows for an NCDOT contractor to remove the old bridge and finish widening the interstate underneath, the news release said.

The opening comes amid a federal government shutdown as President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats blamed each other for failing to reach an agreement in a bitter standoff over funding the government.

The parkway remained open as Oct. 1, except for Helene-related and other construction closures near Linville and Little Switzerl

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