MACON COUNTY, N.C. (WSPA) — Multiple issues underneath a state highway in Macon County have prompted transportation officials to close the route for at least four months. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, NC 106 will be closed starting Saturday morning. Photos: The top 15 most beautiful places in North Carolina, according to Southern Living The roadway will be closed to all traffic from the Blue Valley Overlook to the Osage Overlook. Officials explained that a deep pipe failure and a weakened slope lead to the closure. Engineers found the pipe more than 40 feet below the highway while completing damage assessments after Hurricane Helene hit the county. NCDOT said the pipe should be repaired, the roadbed must be rebuilt and the slope will need to be strengthened before the highway can be reopened. People living in neighborhoods off NC 106 will still have access to their homes, but the damage will cut the direct route for those driving between Highlands and Georgia. A marked detour will send westbound drivers north on NC 106 to US 64 West to US 441 South. Eastbound drivers will take the same detour in reverse. Officials also said the detour will add about 20 minutes to a drive from Highlands to Dillard, Georgia. Large trucks are not permitted to use the highway during regular conditions and must take US 441 to Dillsboro then US 23/74 to Sylva and finally NC 107 to Highlands.