Communities in western North Carolina are still recovering more than a year after Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage to roads and bridges across Buncombe County. VHB is helping the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) restore critical connections through bridge inspections, repairs, and replacement projects.
Since late 2024, VHB has assessed and developed repair plans for more than 40 bridges damaged by the storm. About half of the bridges were repaired using marked-up plans for NCDOT crews, while the others required full contract documents for construction including bridge, erosion control and traffic control plans. VHB also accelerated three bridge replacement projects that were in design before the storm.
“When Helene washed out these bridges, we fast-tracked everything—from design to permitting and utility coordination—to get contracts ready for construction as quickly as possible,” said Kevin Fischer, PE, Mid-Atlantic Structures Director at VHB.
In addition, VHB is supporting NCDOT’s progressive design-build project along NC 197, a corridor heavily impacted by the storm. The project focuses on rebuilding roadways and bridges, stabilizing slopes, and adding retaining walls to strengthen resilience against future storms.
While Asheville shows visible signs of recovery, rural areas remain challenged.
“Driving through more remote parts of Buncombe County, you can still see the long road to recovery,” Fischer noted. “This work is about reconnecting people and helping communities get back on their feet.”
VHB’s structures team across the Mid-Atlantic, including offices in Raleigh, Charlotte, and Virginia, now totals 16 bridge engineers and technicians. Their combined knowledge allows VHB to tackle complex inspections, repairs, and replacements while supporting long-term community resilience.
Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn or by email to learn more about VHB’s natural disaster recovery efforts.
