Interstate 40 in Cocke County is open to one lane of traffic in each direction. Only local traffic is welcome on the highway as Hurricane Helene recovery continues.

After the Tennessee Department of Transportation was forced to close large sections of Interstate 40 that were damaged by flooding, the roadway has partially reopened across Cocke County.

Within the next day or so I-40 will be open one lane in each direction between MM 452 (just inside the state line) and approximately MM 446." said Mark Nagi, a TDOT spokesperson. "I-40 will be open as normal up until MM 446.

Lee surveys badly damaged I-40 in Cocke County. While the interstate will be reopened to Exit 451 for local traffic, it is unclear when the eastbound lanes