ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The North Carolina Department of Transportation has expanded its Incident Management Assistance Patrol coverage along Interstate 26 to the South Carolina state line.

The extended service area now reaches from Exit 54 (U.S. 25) in Henderson County to the state border, enhancing support for drivers along a critical travel corridor that includes the mountainous and heavily traveled Saluda Grade.

The expansion increases IMAP’s total coverage on I-26 to 52 miles, spanning from South Carolina to Madison County. The move is part of NCDOT’s ongoing efforts to improve traffic safety, reduce congestion and provide quicker assistance to stranded motorists.

“My partner and I are both local to the area and know it well,” Jason Smith, an IMAP responder who patrols the newly added section, said in a news release. “That familiarity allows us to respond quickly and assist drivers without long wait times.”

The IMAP program, which is free to the public, offers a variety of roadside services, including help with flat tires, fuel delivery, jump-starts, minor debris removal and traffic management at crash scenes. The goal is to minimize delays, reduce the risk of secondary collisions and support emergency responders.

Patrol vehicles are marked with blue and white colors, as well as NCDOT and GEICO logos, and are equipped with reflective safety markings to improve visibility.

“Extending our IMAP coverage to the South Carolina border allows us to better serve drivers in the region and respond more efficiently to incidents along this busy stretch of I-26,” Chad Franklin, NCDOT’s regional intelligent transportation systems engineer, said in the release. “This expansion reflects our commitment to being responsible stewards of public resources and ensuring the safety and mobility of both residents and visitors traveling through North Carolina.”

More information about IMAP and other highway safety initiatives is available here.