Nineteen Years Later, Coating on North Carolina Tunnel Still Holding Up Beautifully

Spectacular vistas along the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains bring thousands of visitors to Asheville, North Carolina, every year. Naturally, the North Carolina Department of Transportation strives to ensure the tunnels and roadways that traverse this scenic highway blend in to the beautiful mountainous setting. When the 1,050-foot-long Beau Catcher Tunnel was renovated in the winter of 1996, the DOT was faced with many challenges. First of all, it wanted to reduce leaks and reduce the risk of rock slides. But it also wanted to remove nearly 50 years of graffiti and accumulated dirt and residue – and keep the surface protected for years to come.