James Budd

Graham Star

North Carolina transportation officials plan to open an on-site detour route around a closed section of the Cherohala Skway in Graham County near the Tennessee state line.

The entire road could be open to traffic by Monday or sooner.

Part of the westbound lane of the road was washed down a 1,000-foot ravine Jan. 17, forcing the North Carolina Department of Transportation to close the scenic road.

Joel Setzer, Division 14 engineer with NCDOT in Sylva, said a contracting firm is working to build the temporary detour using the existing eastbound shoulder of the road.

Setzer said the temporary fix may be open to traffic by Monday, Jan. 28, or sooner.

"Monday is our projected date at this time, but we are looking to better the schedule," Setzer said.

Setzer said a permanent fix may be "months away." The engineer said the washed out portion of the road will be restored, using the road's existing footprint.