Interstate 26 
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  I-26 Temp | I-126
From:  Kingsport (Sullivan County)
To:  North Carolina State Line at Sam's Gap (Unicoi County)
Total Length:  54.4 miles
Nationally, I-26 runs from US 11W-23 to US 17 Charleston SC
ROUTE LOG
 EXIT 1 - US 11W, US 23 NB, TN 1, TN 137: 0 - 0
EXIT 3 - Meadowview Pkwy: 3.5 - 3.5
EXIT 4 - TN 93: 0.5 - 4.0
EXIT 6 - TN 347: 2.3 - 6.3
EXIT 8 - I-81 (exit 57): 2.2 - 8.5
Sullivan-Washington Line: 1.4 - 9.9
EXIT 10 - Eastern Star Rd: 0 - 9.9
EXIT 13 - TN 75: 3.2 - 13.1
EXIT 17 - TN 354: 3.6 - 16.7
EXIT 19 - TN 381: 2.3 - 19.0
EXIT 20 - US 11E, US 19W NB, TN 34, TN 36 NB: 1.2 - 20.2
EXIT 22 - TN 400: 2.2 - 22.4
EXIT 23 - TN 91: 0.6 - 23.0
EXIT 24 - US 321, TN 67: 0.9 - 23.9
Washington-Carter Line: 1.1 - 25.0
EXIT 27 - TN 359: 1.9 - 26.9
Carter-Unicoi Line: 0.8 - 27.7
EXIT 32 - TN 173: 4.1 - 31.8
EXIT 34 - Tinker Rd: 1.9 - 33.7
EXIT 36 - Harris Hollow Rd: 2.0 - 35.7
EXIT 37 - TN 81, TN 107: 1.5 - 37.2
EXIT 40 - Jackson Love Hwy: 2.6 - 39.8
EXIT 43 - US 19W SB, TN 36 SB: 3.7 - 43.5
EXIT 46 - Tilson Rd: 2.8 - 46.3
EXIT 50 - Upper Higgins Creek Rd: 3.6 - 49.9
NC STATE LINE: 4.5 - 54.4

 Creation: 
In April 1988, Tennessee requested that I-26 be added to all of I-181 south of I-81 once North Carolina built their portion and Tennessee upgraded US 23 south of Erwin. In June 1988 AASHO approved this contingent on deposting I-181 south of I-81.
Adjustments:  In May 2003, Tennessee requested that I-181 north of I-81 also be renumbered as I-26. This was turned down by AASHTO in June 2003. Tennessee actually wanted to renumber this as I-126 but the Kingsport MPO convinced TDOT to request I-26 instead in March 2003. AASHTO turned down the renumbering north of I-81 in June 2003. This is also when everything was finally in place to renumber I-181 south of I-81 to I-26, which occurred.
In 2005, the SAFETEA-LU highway bill passed by Congress redesignated I-181 north of I-81 to I-26. (this info comes from Kurumi's interstate guide)

1986 Official
I-181 Johnson City to Kingsport
1986 Official
2004 Official
I-181 replaced by I-26 south of I-81
2004 Official
2006 Official
I-181 replaced by I-26 north of I-81
2006 Official

Improvements: Upon designation, I-26 was 4-laned throughout except for a climbing lane in each direction at Bays mountain in Kingsport.
New Exits Added: None
Comments:  In 2024, Hurricane Helen destroyed the Nolichucky River bridge at Erwin, closing the interstate for a month.

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Page last modified 16 November 2024